Poly(trimethylene carbonate) degrades in vivo by macrophage mediated enzymatic degradation, which occurs at a higher rate on 100kDa pTMC surfaces compared to 60kDa pTMC surfaces. It is hypothesized that this higher degradation rate is caused by greater macrophage attachment or higher enzymatic activity, possibly due to a difference in adsorbed protein present on the two pTMC surfaces. In vitro degradation of 100kDa and 60kDa pTMC disks incubated in cholesterol esterase and lipase showed a higher rate of degradation of the 100kDa pTMC. Macrophages were cultured on discs of 60kDa and 100kDa pTMC and TCPS. Over time, macrophage number significantly decreased on the 60kDa pTMC and TCPS surfaces. A higher quantity of fibrinogen was found to adsorb to the 60kDa pTMC surface. These results suggest that differences in pTMC degradation are due to both macrophage attachment and enzymatic activity and that higher fibrinogen adsorption may be associated with lower macrophage attachment.

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) molecular weight affects protein adsorption, enzymatic activity and macrophage behaviour

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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