ABSTRACT:

Biomaterials used for tissue engineering scaffolds act as temporary substrates, on which cells deposit newly synthesized extracellular matrix. In cartilage tissue engineering, polycaprolactone/poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PCL/pHEMA) polymer blends have been used as scaffold materials, but their use in osseous tissue engineering has been more limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate modification of PCL/pHEMA surfaces with bone sialoprotein (BSP), an extracellular matrix protein important in regulating osseous tissue formation. Modification of surfaces with BSP significantly enhanced osteoblastic cell attachment and spreading, without compromising proliferation. Thus, BSP-immobilization may be a useful strategy for optimizing scaffolds for skeletal tissue engineering.

INTRODUCTION:

PREPARATION:

PCL/pHEMA semi-interpenetrating networks (sIPN’s) were prepared by combining HEMA monomer (Esstech, Essington, PA), a low-molecular-weight PCL (CAPA 2302, 3000 g/mol; Solvay Interox, Warrington, UK), and a high-molecular-weight PCL (CAPA 6506, 50,000 g/mol; Solvay Interox) in a 5.5:2.5:1 weight ratio, respectively. PCL and HEMA monomer were mixed together and placed in an oven at 60^oC to facilitate melting and dissolution of PCL in HEMA monomer. After melting, the compositions were thoroughly mixed to ensure a homogenous distribution. Camphorquinone (Esstech) was added to the mixtures at 0.2% by weight of HEMA monomer. The mixtures were sonicated for approximately 8 min to evenly dissolve the camphorquinone. 1 mL polypropylene syringes (∼4 mm internal diameter) were subsequently filled with PCL/HEMA monomer compositions and cured using a Triad 2000 light-curing system (Dentsply, York, PA).

Article first published online: 31 MAR 2010, DOI:  10.1002/jbm.a.32715, Copyright 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Volume 94A, Issue 3, pages 945–952, 1 September 2010

Link:  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbm.a.32715/abstract