Abstract
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(lactic acid) are types of biocompatible and degradable synthetic polymers required for biomedical applications. Physically blended (TPU+PLA) tissue engineering matrices were produced via solvent casting technique. The following types of polymer blend were prepared: (TPU+PLA) 7:3, (TPU+PLA) 6:4, (TPU+PLA) 4:6, and (TPU+PLA) 3:7. Various methods were employed to characterize the properties of these polymers: surface properties such as morphology (scanning electron microscopy), wettability (goniometry), and roughness (profilometric analysis). Analyses of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the obtained polymer blends were conducted. Tensile tests demonstrated that the blends exhibited a wide range of mechanical properties. Cytotoxicity of polymers was tested using human multipotent stromal cells derived from adipose tissue (hASC). In vitro assays revealed that (TPU+PLA) 3:7 matrices were the most cytocompatible biomaterials. Cells cultured on (TPU+PLA) 3:7 had proper morphology, growth pattern, and were distinguished by increased proliferative and metabolic activity. Additionally, it appeared that (TPU+PLA) 3:7 biomaterials showed antiapoptotic properties. hASC cultured on these matrices had reduced expression of Bax-α and increased expression of Bcl-2. This study demonstrated the feasibility of producing a biocompatible scaffold form based on (TPU+PLA) blends that have potential to be applied in tissue engineering.
Highlights
Tissue engineering (TE) and material science are valuable tool in regenerative medicine [1,2].Until now, tissue engineering has been successfully used to obtain promising materials dedicated to the regeneration of various tissue, including soft and hard tissues [3,4]
Both poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are synthetic polymers commonly used in biomedical applications, they differ in mechanical properties [5,13,14]
In this study we developed blend (TPU+PLA) films with a weight ratio of 7:3, 6:4, 4:6, and 3:7
Summary
Tissue engineering (TE) and material science are valuable tool in regenerative medicine [1,2].Until now, tissue engineering has been successfully used to obtain promising materials dedicated to the regeneration of various tissue, including soft and hard tissues [3,4]. Polymers used in the field of tissue engineering should be characterized in terms of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and immunomodulatory and biomechanical properties [11,12]. Both poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are synthetic polymers commonly used in biomedical applications, they differ in mechanical properties [5,13,14]. The former polymer has rigid mechanical properties, while the latter is characterized by flexible mechanical properties [6]. The current TE perspectives are focused on manufacturing an ideal scaffold, characterized by mechanical features that would perfectly match the native tissue to be repaired [16]
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