Dynamic mechanical analysis and biomineralization of hyaluronan-polyethylene copolymers for potential use in osteochondral defect repair

作者：Oldinski Rachael A; Ruckh Timothy T; Staiger Mark P; Popat Ketul C; James Susan P^*

来源：Acta Biomaterialia, 2011, 7(3): 1184-1191.

DOI：10.1016/j.actbio.2010.11.019

• Hyaluronan
• Polyethylene
• Dynamic unconfined compression
• Bone marrow stromal cell
• Articular cartilage

Treatment options for damaged articular cartilage are limited due to its lack of vasculature and its unique viscoelastic properties. This study was the first to fabricate a hyaluronan (HA)-polyethylene copolymer for potential use in the replacement of articular cartilage and repair of osteochondral defects. Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of HA and high-density polyethylene (HA-co-HDPE) were fabricated with 10, 28 and 50 wt.% HA. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to assess the effect of varying constituent weight ratios on the viscoelastic properties of HA-co-HDPE materials. The storage moduli of HA-co-HDPE copolymers ranged from 2.4 to 15.0 MPa at physiological loading frequencies. The viscoelastic properties of the HA-co-HDPE materials were significantly affected by varying the wt.% of HA and/or crosslinking of the HA constituent. Cytotoxicity and the ability of the materials to support mineralization were evaluated in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. HA-co-HDPE materials were non-cytotoxic, and calcium and phosphorus were present on the surface of the HA-co-HDPE materials 2 weeks after osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow stromal cells. This study is the first to measure the viscoelastic properties and osseocompatibility of HA-co-HDPE for potential use in orthopedic applications.

• 出版日期2011-3