title: Cross-linked poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-L-lactide) as a biodegradable, elastomeric scaffold for vascular engineering applications.
abstract: A series of copolymers of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and L-lactide (LLA) were synthesized and evaluated as scaffolds for the production of artificial blood vessels. The polymers were end-functionalized with acrylate, cast into films, and cross-linked using UV light. The mechanical, degradation, and biocompatibility properties were evaluated. High TMC polymers showed mechanical properties comparable to human arteries (Young's moduli of 1.2-1.8 MPa and high elasticity with repeated cycling at 10% strain). Over 84 days degradation in PBS, the modulus and material strength decreased gradually. The polymers were nontoxic and showed good cell adhesion and proliferation over 7 days using human mesenchymal stem cells. When implanted into the rat peritoneal cavity, the polymers elicited formation of tissue capsules composed of myofibroblasts, resembling immature vascular smooth muscle cells. Thus, these polymers showed properties which were tunable and favorable for vascular tissue engineering, specifically, the growth of artificial blood vessels in vivo.
authors: Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, QLD 4072 St. Lucia, Australia.
authors: Bronwin L
authors: BL
authors: Dargaville
authors: Cédryck
authors: C
authors: Vaquette
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Peng
authors: Firas
authors: F
authors: Rasoul
authors: Yu Qian
authors: YQ
authors: Chau
authors: Justin J
authors: JJ
authors: Cooper-White
authors: Julie H
authors: JH
authors: Campbell
authors: Andrew K
authors: AK
authors: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013718:Tensile Strength; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C121059:poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)