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Elastomeric PGS Scaffolds in Arterial Tissue Engineering
Published on: April 8, 2011
Cross-linked poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) as a biodegradable, elastomeric scaffold for vascular
Bronwin L Dargaville1, Cédryck Vaquette, Hui Peng
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, QLD 4072 St. Lucia, Australia.
Biomacromolecules
|October 18, 2011
Summary
New trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and L-lactide (LLA) copolymers show promise as artificial blood vessel scaffolds. These biocompatible polymers exhibit mechanical properties similar to arteries and support tissue growth in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Developing functional artificial blood vessels is crucial for treating vascular diseases.
- Existing synthetic materials often lack the necessary mechanical properties and biocompatibility for long-term implantation.
- Copolymers offer tunable properties for biomaterial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and L-lactide (LLA) copolymers as scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering.
- To assess the mechanical, degradation, and biocompatibility profiles of these novel polymer scaffolds.
- To investigate the in vivo tissue response to the copolymer scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of TMC-LLA copolymers with varying compositions.
- End-functionalization with acrylate and UV-initiated cross-linking to form films.
- Evaluation of mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elasticity) and degradation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- In vitro biocompatibility testing using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).
- In vivo implantation in a rat peritoneal cavity model.
Main Results:
- High TMC content polymers demonstrated mechanical properties (1.2-1.8 MPa Young's modulus) comparable to human arteries.
- Gradual decrease in mechanical strength and modulus observed over 84 days of degradation.
- Polymers exhibited non-toxicity, promoting good hMSC adhesion and proliferation.
- In vivo implantation led to the formation of myofibroblast-rich tissue capsules, indicative of vascular tissue development.
Conclusions:
- Tunable TMC-LLA copolymers possess favorable mechanical and biocompatibility characteristics for artificial blood vessel scaffolds.
- These materials support cellular infiltration and in vivo tissue regeneration, showing potential for vascular tissue engineering.
- The developed polymer system offers a promising platform for the in vivo growth of artificial blood vessels.
