title: Bulk and surface modifications of polylactide.
abstract: This article reviews various methods of modifying the bulk and surface properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) so that the polymer may be used as a drug carrier in a drug delivery system (DDS) and as a cell scaffold in tissue engineering. Copolymerization of lactide with other lactone-type monomers or monomers with functional groups such as malic acid, copolymerization of lactide with macromolecular monomer such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or dextran, as well as blending polylactide and natural derivatives and other methods of bulk modification are discussed. Surface modifications of PLA-type copolymers, such as surface coating, chemical modification, and plasma treatment are described. Cell culture technology proves the efficiency of bulk and surface modification and the potential application of PLA in tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, PR, China wangsg@iccas.ac.cn
authors.forename: Shenguo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wenjin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Jianzhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bei
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide)