In vitro study of hydroxyapatite-based photocurable polymer composites prepared by laser stereolithography and supercritical fluid extraction.
The fabrication of three-dimensional (3-D) structures using computer-controlled ultraviolet (UV) photopolymerization of acrylates (laser stereolithography) often results in the trapping of residual unreacted monomer and initiator. These residuals can leach from the finished structure and affect the biological response of cells and tissues. Thus the potential applications of these structures for tissue engineering have not been fully realized. In this paper we demonstrate that conventional post-lithography treatments followed by processing in the environmentally benign solvent, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)), dramatically increased biocompatibility. The scCO(2) processing of pure polyacrylate and polyacrylate/hydroxyapatite composite structures extracts residuals from all structures including those that had received full conventional post-lithography treatment (acetone washing/UV drying). Human osteoblast cells seeded on the extracted surfaces of these structures demonstrated increased cell attachment and proliferation on the scCO(2)-treated materials.
Barry
John J A
JJ
School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Evseev
Alexandr V
AV
Markov
Mikhail A
MA
Upton
Clare E
CE
Scotchford
Colin A
CA
Popov
Vladimir K
VK
Howdle
Steven M
SM
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D017886:Durapatite