Pyrene-end-functionalized poly(L-lactide) as an efficient carbon nanotube dispersing agent in poly(L-lactide): mechanical performance and biocompatibility study

Biomed Mater. 2015 Jul 8;10(4):045003. doi: 10.1088/1748-6041/10/4/045003.

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) based implants, a study was made of how far well dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within a PLLA matrix were able to positively affect these properties. To this end, pyrene-end-functionalized poly(L-lactide) (py-end-PLLA) was evaluated as a dispersing agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses and mechanical tests of MWCNTs-based materials demonstrated an enhancement of MWCNT dispersion in the PLLA matrix and improved Young's modulus (E) when 4 wt% of py-end-PLLA was used as the dispersing agent. Subsequently, the bioacceptance of PLLA/py-end-PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposites was evaluated using human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMC) in vitro. The inclusion of py-end-PLLA and MWCNTs supported HBMC adhesion and proliferation. The expression levels of the bone-specific markers indicated that the cells kept their potential to undergo osteogenic differentiation. The results of this study indicate that the addition of MWCNT combined with py-end-PLLA in PLLA/py-end-PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposites may widen the range of applications of PLLA within the field of bone tissue engineering thanks to their mechanical strength and cytocompatibility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colloids / chemical synthesis
  • Compressive Strength
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Hardness
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Pyrenes / chemistry*
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Colloids
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polyesters
  • Pyrenes
  • poly(lactide)