Methacrylic Acid Copolymer Coating Enhances Constructive Remodeling of Polypropylene Mesh by Increasing the Vascular Response

Abstract

This study reports that a methacrylic acid (MAA)‐based copolymer coating generates constructive remodeling of polypropylene (PP) surgical mesh in a subcutaneous model. This coating is non‐bioresorbable and follows the architecture of the mesh without impeding connective tissue integration. Following implantation, the tissue response is biased toward vascularization instead of fibrosis. The vessel density around the MAA mesh is double that of the uncoated mesh two weeks after implantation. This initial vasculature regresses after two weeks while mature vessels remain, suggesting an enhanced healing response. Concurrently, the MAA coating alters the foreign body response to the mesh. Fewer infiltrating cells, macrophages, and foreign body giant cells are found at the tissue–material interface three weeks after implantation. The coating also dampens inflammation, with lower expression levels of pro‐inflammatory and fibrogenic signals (e.g., Tgf‐β1, Tnf‐α, and Il1‐β) and similar expression levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Il10 and Il6) compared to the uncoated mesh. Contrary to other coatings that aim to mitigate the foreign body response to PP mesh, a MAA coating does not require the addition of any biological agents to have an effect, making the coated mesh an attractive candidate for soft tissue repair.

A scalable device-less biomaterial approach for subcutaneous islet transplantation

“…2B, 4A). It should be noted that vessels generated with MAA (in the absence of transplanted cells) eventually regress, and by day 21 the number of vessels declined compared to day 14, which was consistent with tissue remodeling as shown previously 11,12 .…”

“…MAA-based biomaterials have previously been used in several mouse models to generate mature vasculature in the subcutaneous space 3,[10][11][12] , without the need of exogenous growth factors, or cells. In comparison, cell-based approaches for subcutaneous islet transplantation may be affected by inconsistencies in fabrication and vascularization that are highly dependent on the cells used for the given model 1,6,15 .…”

“…We followed a protocol similar to that used by Pepper et al but coated the silicone catheter with polyMAA-co-IDA. We have previously shown that MAA based materials activate the insulin growth factor (IGF-1) 11 and sonic hedgehog (Shh) 10 signalling pathways to promote macrophage polarization towards a M2-like phenotype and drive angiogenesis 12 . This active angiogenic effects from the MAA-coating accounts for the significant increase in the number of vessels compared to the uncoated silicone tube controls in both mice and rats (Fig.…”

“…In comparison, others have embedded pancreatic islets within a microvascular mesh generated using fibrin and endothelial cells in vitro, before being subcutaneously transplantated 6 . Therapeutic polymers such as methacrylic acid (MAA)-based biomaterials generate vessels when subcutaneously transplanted in a variety of different mouse models (CD1 10,11 , SCID/bg 3 and C57BL6 12 ), without the use of exogenous growth factors or cells. In a separate study, we showed that in coating a polypropylene mesh chamber with this copolymer 12 , we could restore diabetic C56Bl/6 mice to normoglycemia with syngeneic islets 13 ; uncoated mesh chambers were ineffective in this model.…”

Topological Structure Design and Fabrication of Biocompatible PLA/TPU/ADM Mesh with Appropriate Elasticity for Hernia Repair

“…This type of mesh exacerbated fibrosis causes complications, including chronic pain and limited mobility. [ 3,4 ] Other non‐degradable synthetic meshes, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, are also associated with complications, including mesh shrinkage, migration, and even infection. The movement of patients is restricted by the retention of the meshes after healing of the defect area, this results in the removal of the meshes.…”