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Evaluation of a novel tetra‐functional branched poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinker for manufacture of crosslinked, decellularized, porcine aortic valve leaflets
Author(s) -
Hu XingJian,
Dong NianGuo,
Shi JiaWei,
Deng Cheng,
Li HuaDong,
Lu CuiFen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.33010
Subject(s) - ethylene glycol , peg ratio , decellularization , materials science , biomedical engineering , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , tissue engineering , medicine , organic chemistry , finance , economics
To address concerns over limitations in the clinical use of glutaraldehyde (GA) fixation in bioprosthetic heart valves, we manufactured novel, branched poly(ethylene glycol) tetraacrylate (PEG‐TA) crosslinked valve leaflets and evaluated cytotoxic, thrombogenic, hemolytic, and anticalcification effects, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, in comparison to decellularized valves (control) and GA crosslinked valves. Thermal denaturation temperatures were higher for PEG‐TA valve leaflets compared to control and GA crosslinked valves ( p < 0.001). Leaflet hydrolyzation rate was lower for the PEG‐TA group than for GA and control groups ( p < 0.05). Superior cytocompatibility was found for PEG‐TA group leaflets (MTT, p < 0.01. apoptosis assay, p > 0.05). No thrombogenesis was found in platelet activation tests ( p < 0.0001). Hemolysis assays showed that PEG‐TA leaflets would not cause damage to blood cells ( p > 0.05). Excellent anticalcification properties were confirmed by von Kossa staining, western blot, and atomic absorption spectroscopy ( p < 0.0001) in a rat subcutaneous embedding model. Finally, the novel PEG‐TA crosslinked material exhibits improved mechanical properties as compared to GA crosslinked materials (tensile strength, p < 0.001, Young's modulus, p < 0.001). On the basis of all results presented, it is clear that the performance characteristics of PEG‐TA crosslinked valve leaflets make PEG‐TA crosslinked leaflets a promising alternative for the next generation of bioprosthetic heart valve. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 322–336, 2014.