Biodegradable synthetic polymers for tissue engineering

Abstract

This paper reviews biodegradable synthetic polymers focusing on their potential in tissue engineering applications. The major classes of polymers are briefly discussed with regard to synthesis, properties and biodegradability, and known degradation modes and products are indicated based on studies reported in the literature. A vast majority of biodegradable polymers studied belongs to the polyester family, which includes polyglycolides and polylactides. Some disadvantages of these polymers in tissue engineering applications are their poor biocompatibility, release of acidic degradation products, poor processability and loss of mechanical properties very early during degradation. Other degradable polymers such as polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyphosphazenes, and polyurethanes are also discussed and their advantages and disadvantages summarised. With advancements in tissue engineering it has become necessary to develop polymers that meet more demanding requirements. Recent work has focused on developing injectable polymer compositions based on poly (propylene fumarate) and poly (anhydrides) to meet these requirements in orthopaedic tissue engineering. Polyurethanes have received recent attention for development of degradable polymers because of their great potential in tailoring polymer structure to achieve mechanical properties and biodegradability to suit a variety of applications.

Cell colonization in degradable 3D porous matrices

“…74 Further information on specific 3D matrices can be found in a variety of review articles. [75][76][77] Various fabrication techniques such as free-form printing, 78 controlled rate freezing and lyophilization, 33 porogen-leaching, 62 gas-foaming 79 and microfabrication 80 are available. Porous structures to be used as scaffolds should have the following basic properties: (1) biocompatible, bioresorbable and biodegradable during tissue regeneration process, (2) porous with an interconnected network to enable rapid tissue ingrowth through pores, and to allow unimpaired diffusion of nutrients, oxygen and wastes, (3) suitable surface properties (wettability, stiffness and compliance) to support cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation and (4) provide sufficient mechanical strength to withstand stresses at the site of implantation.…”

A Mathematical Model of Liver Cell Aggregation In Vitro

“…The types of ECM used in liver tissue engineering include collagen gels and polylactic acid (PLA); for the former, µ E ∼ 10 5 P a and E ′ ∼ 10 0 − 10 1 P a (Velegol and Lanni, 2001), whilst for the latter, µ E ∼ 10 5 − 10 8 P a and E ′ ∼ 10 6 − 10 9 P a (Chen et al, 2003;Gunatillake and Adhikari, 2003;Namy et al, 2004). We thus consider a range of values for these parameters.…”

Graphene and graphene oxide as nanomaterials for medicine and biology application

“…However, some of the polymer-based materials used in regenerative and reconstructive dentistry are poorly suited for areas that bear the load and may induce inflammatory responses. Moreover, the degradation of these materials may cause induction of an autocatalytic ester breakdown that lowers the pH, which is not suitable for cell viability [129,130]. These limitations can be overcome by blending the polymers with graphene and its derivatives for the production of composites with improved capabilities.…”