Photo-crosslinked poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate) networks for guided peripheral nerve regeneration: Material properties and preliminary biological evaluations

Shanfeng Wang, Michael J. Yaszemski, Andrew M. Knight, James A. Gruetzmacher, Anthony J. Windebank, Lichun Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

In an effort to achieve suitable biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration, we present a material design strategy of combining a crystallite-based physical network and a crosslink-based chemical network. Biodegradable polymer disks and conduits have been fabricated by photo-crosslinking three poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate)s (PCLF530, PCLF1250, and PCLF2000), which were synthesized from the precursor poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) diols with nominal molecular weights of 530, 1250, and 2000 g mol-1, respectively. Thermal properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and crystallinity of photo-crosslinked PCLFs were examined and correlated with their rheological and mechanical properties. Furthermore, in vitro degradation of uncrosslinked and crosslinked PCLFs in PBS crosslinked PCLFs in 1 N NaOH aqueous solution at 37 °C was studied. In vitro cytocompatibility, attachment, and proliferation of Schwann cell precursor line SPL201 cells on three PCLF networks were investigated. Crosslinked PCLF2000 with the highest crystallinity and mechanical properties was found to best support cell attachment and proliferation. Using a new photo-crosslinking method, single-lumen crosslinked PCLF nerve conduits without defects were fabricated in a glass mold. Crosslinked PCLF2000 nerve conduits were selected for evaluation in a 1 cm gap rat sciatic nerve model. Histological evaluation demonstrated that the material was biocompatible with sufficient strength to hold sutures in place after 6 and 17 weeks of implantation. Nerve cable with myelinated axons was found in the crosslinked PCLF2000 nerve conduit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1531-1542
Number of pages12
JournalActa Biomaterialia
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Cell responses
  • Peripheral nerve regeneration
  • Photo-crosslinking
  • Poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Molecular Biology

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