PDMMLA derivatives as a promising cardiovascular metallic stent coating: Physicochemical and biological evaluation

To reduce the risk of intra-stent restenosis and improve hemocompatibility of biomaterials, the therapeutic re-endothelialization is required. Indeed, the behavior of endothelial cells is affected by several factors such as wettability and surface energy of biomaterial in contact with cells and blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of new polymers derived from poly((R,S)-3,3-dimethylmalic acid) (PDMMLA) that will be used as cardiovascular stents coating. In fact, a comprehensive study of the roughness and topography and the thermal and rheological properties of these materials were investigated. Furthermore, this was correlated with the biological response of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and monocytes (MM6) to these biomaterials. Our results revealed very interesting surface properties of PDMMLAs, excellent thermal and thermo-mechanical properties and a suitable biological response. All these properties can be adjusted by simple chemical modification of the side chain of the studied polymers.