Abstract
Introduction: For tissue engineering of small-diameter blood vessels, biodegradable, flexible and elastic porous tubular structures are most suited. The applicability of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC), random copolymers of TMC and e-caprolactone poly (TMC-CL), and networks based on these polymers as scaffolding materials was investigated.
Methods: TMC-based (co)polymers were synthesized by ringopening polymerization. Tubular structures were prepared by dipping glass mandrels in polymer solutions containing dispersed, sieved sugar particles, followed by g-irradiation and cross-linking, and leaching. For mechanical- and biocompatibility tests, films of different thicknesses were prepared by compression molding, solvent casting, and spin-coating.
Results and Discussion: PTMC and poly(TMC-CL) are flexible materials, with E-modulus values below 10 MPa and elongations at break higher than 500%. After g-irradiation in vacuo at 25– 100 kGy, networks with gel contents up to 73 wt% were obtained. The networks showed excellent creep resistance under static and dynamic loading conditions.
Good cell attachment and proliferation behavior of mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells on polymer films and networks was observed. In lipase solutions, the films degraded substantially within one month by surface erosion. Porous tubular structures, with pore sizes in the range of 80 – 130 mm and a porosity of approximately 85%, could readily be prepared. A pulsatile bioreactor that allows mechanical stimulation of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells seeded in the porous structures is being constructed.
Conclusions: TMC-based (co)polymers and networks are flexible, elastic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Porous tubular scaffolds based on these materials have much potential in tissue engineering of small diameter blood vessels.
Methods: TMC-based (co)polymers were synthesized by ringopening polymerization. Tubular structures were prepared by dipping glass mandrels in polymer solutions containing dispersed, sieved sugar particles, followed by g-irradiation and cross-linking, and leaching. For mechanical- and biocompatibility tests, films of different thicknesses were prepared by compression molding, solvent casting, and spin-coating.
Results and Discussion: PTMC and poly(TMC-CL) are flexible materials, with E-modulus values below 10 MPa and elongations at break higher than 500%. After g-irradiation in vacuo at 25– 100 kGy, networks with gel contents up to 73 wt% were obtained. The networks showed excellent creep resistance under static and dynamic loading conditions.
Good cell attachment and proliferation behavior of mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells on polymer films and networks was observed. In lipase solutions, the films degraded substantially within one month by surface erosion. Porous tubular structures, with pore sizes in the range of 80 – 130 mm and a porosity of approximately 85%, could readily be prepared. A pulsatile bioreactor that allows mechanical stimulation of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells seeded in the porous structures is being constructed.
Conclusions: TMC-based (co)polymers and networks are flexible, elastic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Porous tubular scaffolds based on these materials have much potential in tissue engineering of small diameter blood vessels.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1745-1745 |
| Journal | Tissue engineering |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
| Event | TERMIS-EU Chapter Meeting 2007 - Regent's College Conference Centre, London, United Kingdom Duration: 4 Sept 2007 → 7 Sept 2007 |