title: Synthesis of macroporous poly(dimethylsiloxane) scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
abstract: Macroporous, biostable scaffolds with controlled porous architecture were prepared from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using sodium chloride particles and a solvent casting and particulate leaching technique. The effect of particulate size range and overall porosity on the resulting structure was evaluated. Results found 90% v/v scaffolds and particulate ranges above 100 μm to have the most optimal open framework and porosity. Resulting hydrophobic PDMS scaffolds were coated with fibronectin and evaluated as a platform for adherent cell culture using human mesenchymal stem cells. Biocompatibility of PDMS scaffolds was also evaluated in a rodent model, where implants were found to be highly biocompatible and biostable, with positive extracellular matrix deposition throughout the scaffold. These results demonstrate the suitability of macroporous PDMS scaffolds for tissue engineering applications where strong integration with the host is desired.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedraza
authors.forename: Ann-Christina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fraker
authors.forename: Cherie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Stabler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon