PLGA/PEG-hydrogel composite scaffolds with controllable mechanical properties.
Biodegradable polymer scaffolds have great potential for regenerative medicine applications such as the repair of musculoskeletal tissues. Here, we describe the development of scaffolds that blend hydrogel components with thermoplastic materials, combining the unique properties of both components to create mouldable formulations. This study focuses on the structural and mechanical properties of the composite scaffolds, produced by combining temperature-sensitive poly(DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) particles with a hydrogel component [Pluronic F127, fibrin or hyaluronic acid (HyA)]. The composite formulations solidified over time at 37°C, with a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in compressive strength observed from 15 min to 2 h at this temperature. The maximum compressive strength was 1.2 MPa for PLGA/PEG-Pluronic F127 scaffolds, 2.4 MPa for PLGA/PEG-HyA scaffolds and 0.6 MPa for PLGA/PEG-fibrin scaffolds. Porosity for each of the PLGA/PEG-hydrogel formulations tested was between 50 and 51%. This study illustrates the ability to combine this thermoplastic PLGA/PEG system with hydrogels to fabricate composite scaffolds, and demonstrates that altering the particle to hydrogel ratio produces scaffolds with varying mechanical properties.
Division of Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK. cheryl.rahman@nottingham.ac.uk
Cheryl V
CV
Rahman
Gisela
G
Kuhn
Lisa J
LJ
White
Giles T S
GT
Kirby
Oommen P
OP
Varghese
Jane S
JS
McLaren
Helen C
HC
Cox
Felicity R A J
FR
Rose
Ralph
R
Müller
Jöns
J
Hilborn
Kevin M
KM
Shakesheff
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D005337:Fibrin / Q000737:chemistry; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010012:Osteogenesis; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011312:Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D020442:Poloxamer; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005337:Fibrin; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid