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Biocompatible porous polyester-ether hydrogel scaffolds with cross-linker mediated biodegradation and mechanical properties for tissue augmentation
Berkay Ozcelik Jason Palmer Katharina Ladewig Paula Facal Marina Geoffrey W. Stevens Keren Abberton Wayne Morrison Anton Blencowe Greg G. Qiao
Berkay Ozcelik
Jason Palmer
Katharina Ladewig
Paula Facal Marina
Geoffrey W. Stevens
Keren Abberton
Wayne Morrison
Anton Blencowe
Greg G. Qiao
Abstract
Porous polyester-ether hydrogel scaffolds (PEHs) were fabricated using acid chloride/alcohol chemistry and a salt templating approach. The PEHs were produced from readily available and cheap commercial reagents via the reaction of hydroxyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives with sebacoyl, succinyl, or trimesoyl chloride to afford ester cross-links between the PEG chains. Through variation of the acid chloride cross-linkers used in the synthesis and the incorporation of a hydrophobic modifier (poly(caprolactone) (PCL)), it was possible to tune the degradation rates and mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. Several of the hydrogel formulations displayed exceptional mechanical properties, remaining elastic without fracture at compressive strains of up to 80%, whilst still displaying degradation over a period of weeks to months. A subcutaneous rat model was used to study the scaffolds in vivo and revealed that the PEHs were infiltrated with well vascularised tissue within two weeks and had undergone significant degradation in 16 weeks without any signs of toxicity. Histological evaluation for immune responses revealed that the PEHs incite only a minor inflammatory response that is reduced over 16 weeks with no evidence of adverse effects.
Keywords
polyester-ether, hydrogel, scaffold, biocompatible, biodegradation
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Polymers
Book
Volume
10
Issue
2
Page Range
1-19
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open