Synthesis, characterization, and cytocompatibility of elastomeric, biodegradable poly(ester‐urethane)ureas based on poly(caprolactone) and putrescine

Abstract

The engineering of tissue for mechanically demanding applications in the cardiovascular system is likely to require mechanical conditioning of cell–scaffold constructs prior to their implantation. Scaffold properties amenable to such an application include high elasticity and strength coupled with controllable biodegradative and cell‐adhesive properties. To fulfill such design criteria, we have synthesized a family of poly(ester‐urethane)ureas (PEUUs) from polycaprolactone and 1,4‐diisocyanatobutane. Lysine ethyl ester (Lys) or putrescine was used as chain extenders. To encourage cell adhesion, PEUUs were surface modified with radio‐frequency glow discharge followed by coupling of Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser (RGDS). The synthesized PEUUs were highly flexible, with breaking strains of 660–895% and tensile strengths from 9.2–29 MPa. Incubation in aqueous buffer for 8 weeks resulted in mass loss, from >50% (Lys chain extender) to 10% (putrescine chain extender). Human endothelial cells cultured for 4 days with medium containing the degradation products from PEUUs with either the Lys or putrescine chain extender showed no toxic effects. Cell adhesion was 85% of that measured on tissue‐culture polystyrene for unmodified PEUU surfaces (p < 0.01) and >160% (p < 0.001) of polystyrene on RGDS‐modified PEUUs. These biodegradable PEUUs demonstrate potential for future application as cell scaffolds in cardiovascular tissue‐engineering or other soft‐tissue applications. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 61: 493–503, 2002