Abteilung für Funktionswerkstoffe der Medizin und der Zahnheilkunde
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Bioprinting has emerged as a valuable threedimensional (3D) biomanufacturing method to fabricate complex hierarchical cell-containing constructs. Spanning from basic research to clinical translation, sterile starting materials are crucial. In this study, we present pharmacopeia compendial sterilization methods for the commonly used bioink component alginate. Autoclaving (sterilization in saturated steam) and sterile filtration followed by lyophilization as well as the pharmacopeia non-compendial method, ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation for disinfection, were assessed. The impact of the sterilization methods and their effects on physicochemical and rheological properties, bioprinting outcome, and sterilization efficiency of alginate were detailed. Only sterile filtration followed by lyophilization as the sterilization method retained alginate's physicochemical properties and bioprinting behavior while resulting in a sterile outcome. This set of methods provides a blueprint for the analysis of sterilization effects on the rheological and physicochemical pattern of bioink components and is easily adjustable for other polymers used in the field of biofabrication in the future.
The aim of this thesis was the application of the functional prepolymer NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) for the development of new biomaterials. First, the influence of the star-shaped polymers on the mechanical properties of biocements and bone adhesives was investigated. 3-armed star-shaped macromers were used as an additive for a mineral bone cement, and the influence on the mechanical properties was studied. Additionally, a previously developed bone adhesive was examined regarding cytocompatibility. The second topic was the examination of novel functionalization steps which were performed on the surface of electrospun fibers modified with NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO). This established method of functionalizing electrospun meshes was advanced regarding the modification with proteins which was then demonstrated in a biological application. Two different kinds of antibodies were immobilized on the fiber surface in a consecutive manner and the influence of these proteins on the cell behavior was investigated. The final topic involved the quantification of surface-bound peptide sequences. By functionalization of the peptides with the UV-reactive molecule 2-mercaptopyridine it was possible to quantify this compound via UV measurements by cleavage of disulfide bridges and indirectly draw conclusions about the number of immobilized peptides.
In the field of mineral biocements and bone adhesives, NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) was able to influence the setting behavior and mechanical performance of mineral bone cements based on calcium phosphate chemistry. The addition of NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) resulted in a pseudo-ductile fracture behavior due to the formation of a hydrogel network in the cement, which was then mineralized by nanosized hydroxyapatite crystals following cement setting. Accordingly, a commercially available aluminum silicate cement from civil engineering could be modified.
In addition, it could be shown that the use of NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) is beneficial for adjusting specific material properties of bone adhesives. Here, the crosslinking behavior of the prepolymer in an aqueous medium was exploited to form an interpenetrating network (IPN) together with a photochemically curing poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) matrix. This could be used for the development of a bone adhesive with an improved adhesion to bone in a wet environment. The developed bone adhesive was further investigated in terms of possible influences of the initiator systems. In addition, the material system was tested for cytocompatibility by using different cell lines.
Moreover, the preparation of electrospun fiber meshes via solution electrospinning consisting of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as a backbone polymer and NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) as functional additive is an established method for the application of the meshes as a replacement of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). In general, these fibers reveal diameters in the nanometer range, are protein and cell repellent due to the hydrophilic properties of the prepolymer and show a specific biofunctionalization by immobilization of peptide sequences. Here, the isocyanate groups presented on the fiber surface after electrospinning were used to carry out various functionalization steps, while retaining the properties of protein and cell repellency. The modification of the electrospun fibers involved the immobilization of analogs or antagonists of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the indirect detection of these by interaction with a light-producing enzyme. Here, a multimodal modification of the fiber surface with RGD to mediate cell adhesion and two different antibodies could be achieved. After culturing the cell line HT1080, the pro- or anti-inflammatory response of cells could be detected by IL-8 specific ELISA measurements.
Furthermore, the quantification of molecules on the surface of electrospun fibers was investigated. It was tested whether the detection by means of super-resolution microscopy would be possible. Therefore, experiments were performed with short amino acid sequences such as RGD for quantification by fluorescence microscopy. Based on earlier results, in which a UV-spectrometrically active molecule was used to detect the quantification of RGD, it was shown that short peptides can also be quantified in a small scale on flat functional substrates (2D) such as NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) hydrogel coatings, and modified electrospun fibers produced from PLGA and NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) (3D). In addition, a collagen sequence was used to prove that a successful quantification can be carried out as well for longer peptide chains.
These studies have revealed that NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) can serve as a functional additive for many applications and should be considered for further studies on the development of novel biomaterials. The rapid crosslinking reaction, the resulting hydrogel formation and the biocompatibility are to be mentioned as positive properties, which makes the prepolymer interesting for future applications.
Intraperitoneal adhesions are fibrous bands that connect tissues in the peritoneal cavity that are usually separated. These adhesions form as a consequence of trauma, inflammation or surgical interventions and often result in severe consequences such as chronic pain, small bowel obstructions or female infertility.
The aim of this thesis was to develop a synthetic barrier device for adhesion prevention made of modified poly(lactide) [PLA]. Solid PLA films (SurgiWrap®) are already successfully in clinical use due to the good biocompatibility and the biodegradability of the material resulting in non-toxic degradation products since lactic acid is naturally part of the metabolic circles of the human body. Considering the brittleness and stiffness of the films, the long degradation time of several months as well as the need for suturing, there is potential for optimization. Through a copolymerization with the hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG], a reduction of the degradation time was intendend. Moreover, the copolymerization should also lead to an improvement of the mechanical properties of the films since PEG acts as plasticizer for PLA. Linear PLA-PEG-PLA triblock copolymers as well as star-shaped PEG-PLA copolymers were synthesized via standard ring opening polymerization to tailor the barrier properties. Besides solid films, solution electrospun meshes from PLA and the synthesized PEG-PLA copolymers were investigated for a potential application as well. Since suturing of a barrier additionally induces adhesion formation, alginate coated membranes were prepared in order to achieve self-adhesiveness. With the intention to reduce infections and consequently inflammation, electrospun meshes and solvent cast films were loaded with the antibacterial drug triclosan and drug release as well as antibacterial efficacy was investigated.
Mechanical tests confirmed that through the variation of the PEG content and branching the mechanical properties can be tailored and are in good accordance with the glass transition temperatures [Tg] of the polymers. Consequently, potentially adequate mechanical properties for surgical handling as well as for the performance within the patient’s body were successfully achieved. Degradation studies revealed that the degradation time was significantly shorter for PEG-PLA membranes than for PLA films and with an appropriate PEG content could be adjusted to the intended time frame. Cell adhesion and viability tests confirmed the non-toxicity of the clinically used PLA films as well as of PEG-PLA films and meshes. With a bioadhesion test the benefit of an alginate coated side towards the pure PLA film concerning self-adhesiveness was successfully demonstrated. Moreover, optical evaluations and a T-peel test of different alginate coated PLA films showed that the cohesion between the chemically different layers was distinctly enhanced by the use of an appropriate PEG-PLA mesh as intermediate cohesion promoting layer. In in vitro release studies with triclosan loaded films a higher release was determined for PEG-PLA than for PLA films. In agar diffusion tests a higher and longer inhibition of staphylococcus aureus growth was observed confirming the release results. Moreover, drug loaded meshes (especially drug loaded after electrospinning) showed enhanced and elongated bacterial inhibition in comparison to films.