Nanofibers of Elastin and Hydrophilic Segmented Polyurethane Solution Blends Show Enhanced Mechanical Properties through Intermolecular Protein-Polymer H Bonding

Biomacromolecules. 2016 Apr 11;17(4):1312-20. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01681. Epub 2016 Mar 11.

Abstract

Combining mechanical properties with enhanced cell interaction is highly desirable in a biomaterial. In this study, a new paradigm for enhancing the mechanical properties of segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) through solution blending with a biopolymer is presented. This noncovalent approach is based on the premise that molecular level blending of SPUs rich in hydrogen bonding (H bonding) domains with a biopolymer capable of H bonding will promote H-bond bridges between the components, leading to molecular annealing and modification of the physicochemical properties of the SPU. We demonstrate that by solution-blending solubilized elastin with a triblock copolymer-derived SPU, a 5-fold increase in tensile modulus of electrospun constructs of the SPU can be achieved, with concomitant enhancement in human endothelial cell attachment. Spectroscopic and calorimetric analysis confirm the role of H bonding in the enhancement, thus providing the impetus to further explore blending with biopolymers as a means of improving the property profiles of synthetic polymeric biomaterials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Elasticity
  • Elastin / chemistry*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Materials Testing*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polyurethanes / chemistry*
  • Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polymers
  • Polyurethanes
  • Elastin