A Biodesigned Nanocomposite Biomaterial for Auricular Cartilage Reconstruction. Issue 10 (16th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nayyer, Leila; Jell, Gavin; Esmaeili, Ali; Birchall, Martin; Seifalian, Alexander M.
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 5:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1203
• Page End: 1212
• Publication Date: 2016-03-16
• Subjects: auricular cartilage -- biomaterial -- Medpor -- nanocomposite scaffold -- POSS‐PCU; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201500968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Current biomaterials for auricular replacement are associated with high rates of infection and extrusion. The development of new auricular biomaterials that mimic the mechanical properties of native tissue and promote desirable cellular interactions may prevent implant failure. A porous 3D nanocomposite scaffold (NS) based on POSS‐PCU (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocage into polycarbonate based urea‐urethane) is developed with an elastic modulus similar to native ear. In vitro biological interactions on this NS reveal greater protein adsorption, increased fibroblast adhesion, proliferation, and collagen production compared with Medpor (the current synthetic auricular implant). In vivo, the POSS‐PCU with larger pores (NS2; 150–250 μm) have greater tissue ingrowth (≈5.8× and ≈1.4 × increase) than the POSS‐PCU with smaller pores (NS1; 100–50 μm) and when compared to Medpor (>100 μm). The NS2 with the larger pores demonstrates a reduced fibrotic encapsulation compared with NS1 and Medpor (≈4.1× and ≈1.6×, respectively; P < 0.05). Porosity also influences the amount of neovascularization within the implants, with no blood vessel observed in NS1 (12 weeks postimplantation). The lack of chronic inflammatory response for all materials may indicate that the elastic modulus and pore size of the implant scaffold could be important design considerations for influencing fibrotic responses to auricular and other soft tissue implants. Abstract : A porous nanocomposite (POSS‐PCU) ear scaffold was developed, which promotes desirable cell interactions in vitro (cell attachment and growth). In vivo, the scaffolds with a similar elastic moduli to native ear cartilage, reduce fibrotic membrane encapsulation compared to the more rigid commercially available implants of similar porosity. These new scaffolds for ear replacement will reduce the high failure rates of existing materials.