Processing, characterization and in vivo performance of the bioresorbable PLDLA-co-TMC scaffold

Author(s)

Andrea Rodrigues Espósito Cabrera

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica
• Defense date: 2014-08-18

Examining board members

Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek; Cecília Amélia de Carvalho Zavaglia; André Luiz Jardini Munhoz; Arnaldo Rodrigues dos Santos Junior; Ana Paula Testa Pezzin

• Advisor: Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek

Abstract

Three-dimensional structures have been obtained by various techniques and are an important focus in the development of porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize three-dimensional porous scaffolds of poly (L-co-D, L lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate), PLDLA-co-TMC, obtained by 3D fiber deposition technique. The PLDLA-co-TMC terpolymer scaffolds, 70:30 and 50:50, were obtained and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, compression mechanical testing and study on in-vitro degradation, which exhibited its amorphous characteristics, cylindrical geometry and interconnected pores. The in-vitro degradation study showed significant loss of mechanical properties compatible with a decrease in molar mass, accompanied by changes in morphology. The histocompatibility association of mesenchymal stem cells from rabbits bone marrow, and PLDLA-co-TMC (70:30) scaffolds, obtained by casting with sucrose (50%), was evaluated in the meniscus regeneration, proving the potential of cell culture at in vivo tissue regeneration. Nine New Zealand rabbits underwent total medial meniscectomy, yielding three treatments: implantation of the seeded PLDLA-co-TMC scaffold, implantation of the unseeded PLDLA-co-TMC and negative control (defect without any implant). After 24 weeks, the results revealed the presence of fibrocartilage in the animals treated with polymer. However, the regeneration obtained with the seeded PLDLA-co-TMC scaffolds with mesenchymal stem cells had become intimal to mature fibrocartilaginous tissue of normal meniscus both macroscopically and histologically. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the PLDLA-co-TMC (70:30) scaffold in meniscus regeneration and the potential of mesenchymal stem cells in tissue engineering, without the use of growth factors. It is concluded that bioresorbable polymers represent a promising alternative for tissue regeneration (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00318-2 - In vitro study of biomechanical stimuli on mesenchymal stem cell-seeded bioresorbable scaffold
• Grantee: Andrea Rodrigues Espósito Cabrera
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate