Solid-State Crosslinkable, Shape-Memory Polyesters Serving Tissue Engineering

Acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors constituting a poly(D,L-lactide)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PDLLA/PCL) random copolymer backbone are synthesized with linear and star-shaped architectures and various molar masses. It is shown that the glass transition and thus the actuation temperature could be tuned by varying the monomer content (0-8 wt% epsilon-caprolactone, T-g,T-crosslinked = 10-42 degrees C) in the polymers. The resulting polymers are analyzed for their physico-chemical properties and viscoelastic behavior (G '(max) = 9.6-750 kPa). The obtained polymers are subsequently crosslinked and their shape-memory properties are found to be excellent (R-r = 88-100%, R-f = 78-99.5%). Moreover, their potential toward processing via various additive manufacturing techniques (digital light processing, two-photon polymerization and direct powder extrusion) is evidenced with retention of their shape-memory effect. Additionally, all polymers are found to be biocompatible in direct contact in vitro cell assays using primary human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) through MTS assay (up to approximate to 100% metabolic activity relative to TCP) and live/dead staining (>70% viability).

Automated summary

Acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors were synthesized to form a poly(D,L-lactide)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PDLLA/PCL) random copolymer backbone with different architectures and molar masses. By adjusting the monomer content, the glass transition temperature and actuation temperature of the polymers could be controlled. The resulting polymers showed excellent shape-memory properties and compatibility with additive manufacturing techniques. Moreover, they exhibited biocompatibility in in vitro cell assays.