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Vascularization and tissue infiltration of a biodegradable polyurethane matrix
Author(s) -
Ganta Sudhakar R.,
Piesco Nicholas P.,
Long Ping,
Gassner Robert,
Motta Luis F.,
Papworth Glenn D.,
Stolz Donna B.,
Watkins Simon C.,
Agarwal Sudha
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.10402
Subject(s) - materials science , biocompatibility , polyurethane , polymer , foreign body giant cell , in vivo , biomedical engineering , infiltration (hvac) , composite material , chemical engineering , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , metallurgy , biology , engineering
Urethanes are frequently used in biomedical applications because of their excellent biocompatibility. However, their use has been limited to bioresistant polyurethanes. The aim of this study was to develop a nontoxic biodegradable polyurethane and to test its potential for tissue compatibility. A matrix was synthesized with pentane diisocyanate (PDI) as a hard segment and sucrose as a hydroxyl group donor to obtain a microtextured spongy urethane matrix. The matrix was biodegradable in an aqueous solution at 37°C in vitro as well as in vivo . The polymer was mechanically stable at body temperatures and exhibited a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 67°C. The porosity of the polymer network was between 10 and 2000 μm, with the majority of pores between 100 and 300 μm in diameter. This porosity was found to be adequate to support the adherence and proliferation of bone‐marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and chondrocytes in vitro . The degradation products of the polymer were nontoxic to cells in vitro . Subdermal implants of the PDI–sucrose matrix did not exhibit toxicity in vivo and did not induce an acute inflammatory response in the host. However, some foreign‐body giant cells did accumulate around the polymer and in its pores, suggesting its degradation is facilitated by hydrolysis as well as by giant cells. More important, subdermal implants of the polymer allowed marked infiltration of vascular and connective tissue, suggesting the free flow of fluids and nutrients in the implants. Because of the flexibility of the mechanical strength that can be obtained in urethanes and because of the ease with which a porous microtexture can be achieved, this matrix may be useful in many tissue‐engineering applications. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 64A: 242–248, 2003