Currently, many polymeric biomaterials do not possess the most desirable surface properties for direct bone bonding due to the lack of suitable surface functionalities. The incorporation of negatively charged groups has been shown to enhance calcium phosphate formation in vitro and bone bonding ability in vivo. However, there are some conflicting literature reports that highlight the complicated nature of the mineralisation process as well as the sometimes apparent contradictory effect of the negatively charged groups. Surface modification using well-defined polymers offer a more precise control of the chain structures. The aims of this study were to synthesise well-defined polymers containing phosphate and carboxylic acid groups, and perform various surface modification techniques. The influence of the polymer structure on mineralisation was examined using a series of specially synthesised phosphate-containing polymers. The mineralisation ability of the fabricated surfaces was also tested. Soluble poly(monoacryloxyethyl phosphate) (PMAEP) and poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphate) (PMOEP) were synthesised using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerisation. The polymerisation conversions were monitored by in situ Raman spectroscopy. Subsequently 31P NMR investigation revealed the presence of large amounts of diene impurities as well as free orthophosphoric acids in both the MAEP and MOEP monomers. Elemental analyses of the polymers showed loss of phosphate groups due to hydrolysis during the polymerisation. Both gel and soluble PMAEP polymers were found to contain large amounts of carboxyl groups indicating hydrolysis at the C-O-C ester linkages. Block copolymers consisting of PMAEP or PMOEP and poly(2-(acetoacetoxy) ethyl methacrylate) PAAEMA were successfully prepared for the purpose of immobilisation of these polymers onto aminated slides. Well-defined fluorinated polymers, (poly(pentafluorostyrene) (PFS), poly(tetrafluoropropyl acrylate) (TFPA) and poly(tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate) (TFPMA)) were synthesised by RAFT-mediated polymerisation. It was found that the Mn values of PFS at higher conversions were significantly lower than those calculated from the theory, although the PDI's were low (&lt1.1). One possible explanation for this is that it may be a result of the self-initiation of FS which created more chains than the added RAFT agents. Both TFPA and TFPMA showed well-controlled RAFT polymerisations. Chain extension of the fluorinated polymers with tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) followed by hydrolysis of the tBA groups produced the amphiphilic block copolymers containing carboxylic acid groups. Block copolymers consisting of PAAEMA segments were further reacted with glycine and L-phenylalanyl glycine. Three types of surface modifications were carried out: Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assemblies of the soluble phosphate- and carboxylic acid-containing homopolymers, coupling reactions of block copolymers consisting of phosphate and keto groups onto aminated slides, and adsorption of fluorinated homo and block copolymers containing carboxylic acid groups onto PTFE. For LbL assemblies XPS analyses revealed that the thickness of the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) layer was found to be strongly dependent on the pH at deposition. AFM images showed that the PMAEP LbL had a patchy morphology which was due to the carboxylate groups that were not deprotonated at low pH. Successful coupling of the block copolymers consisting of phosphate and keto groups onto aminated slides was evident in the XPS results. The conformation of attached P(MOEP-b-AAEMA) was investigated by ToF-SIMS. Adsorption of the fluorinated polymers onto the PTFE film was examined using different solvents. PFS showed the best adsorption onto PTFE. The block copolymers consisting of PFS and PtBA or PAA were successfully adsorbed onto PTFE. Contact angle measurements showed that the adsorbed block copolymers reorganised quickly to form a hydrophilic surface during the investigation. In vitro mineralisation of various phosphate-containing polymers and the fabricated surfaces were studied using the simulated body fluid (SBF) technique. The SEM/EDX investigation showed that either brushite or monetite, with a tile-like morphology, was formed on both soluble and gel PMAEP polymers after seven days in SBF. The PMOEP gel formed a similar layer as well as a secondary growth of hydroxyapatite (HAP) that exhibited a typical globular morphology. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the PMOEP film prepared from soluble PMOEP showed large amounts of carbonated HAP formation after seven days in SBF. Carbonated HAP is the phase that most closely resembles that found in biological systems. Both the LbL surfaces and the block copolymer-attached aminated slides showed only patchy mineralisation even after 14 days in SBF. This indicates that ionic interactions of the negatively charged phosphates or carboxylates and protonated amines prevented chelation of calcium ions, which is believed to be the first step in mineralisation. The P(FS-b-AA) adsorbed PTFE film also showed only small amounts of mineral formation after 14 days in SBF. These results highlight the many features controlling the mineralisation outcomes.

A busca por um material de enxertia que se adapte às necessidades do cirurgião bucomaxilofacial e também que proporcione ao paciente retorno de sua função com menores danos possíveis, tem sido incessante. O enxerto autógeno é ainda hoje considerado padrão ouro devido suas propriedades, porém, ele apresenta algumas desvantagens, sendo que as maiorias de suas complicações estão associadas ao leito doador. Atualmente, a engenharia de biomateriais trabalha com o desenvolvimento de novos materiais e recursos principalmente na área de regeneração tecidual. Neste contexto, scaffolds de origem natural ou sintética com o propósito de promover a regeneração de tecidos tem sido amplamente estudados. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar in vitro o comportamento biológico quanto à viabilidade, proliferação celular, adesão e potencial de diferenciação de células tronco de polpa dentária humana cultivadas sobre amostras de scaffold composto por uma nova blenda de poli ?-caprolactona/poli (rotaxano). Células tronco de polpa dentária de molares humanos (hDPSCs) foram cultivadas a partir de amostras congeladas e re-caracterizadas. As células foram semeadas sobre amostras dos scaffolds e sob lamínulas de vidro e cultivadas em diferentes meios: clonogênico, mineralizante e condicionado pelo extrato do biomaterial por 1,3,7,14 e 21 dias. Foram avaliadas as curvas de crescimento e viabilidade celulares, a atividade de fosfatase alcalina, a formação de nódulos de mineralização. A adesão celular foi observada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura até o cultivo de 7 dias. Os scaffolds eram lisos, flexíveis e mostraram-se anfifílicos com características físicas de fibras dispostas aleatoriamente e poros interconectados com diâmetro médio de 13,5?m e abertura com área média de 87,14µm2. As hDPSCs expressaram níveis típicos de marcadores de superfície de células-tronco mesenquimais. Não houve inibição de crescimento celular na interface com o biomaterial. As curvas de crescimento e viabilidade mostraram-se mais significativas (p<0.01), especialmente em 7 dias, para as culturas sobre os scaffolds em meio clonogênico. Resultados semelhantes foram observados com o meio mineralizante (p<0.05). Houve maior formação de nódulos de mineralização nas culturas com a presença dos scaffolds, ou seja, o biomaterial estimulou a diferenciação celular. Em microscopia eletrônica de varredura as células mostraram-se aderidas até o período de 7 dias com formação de lençóis sobre os scaffolds. A blenda de poli £-caprolactona/poli (rotaxano) apresentou biocompatibilidade in vitro, revelando aspectos promissores de serem funcionalizadas por células tronco derivadas de polpa dentária humana com potencial de uso como biomaterial bioativo para bioengenharia de tecido ósseo. / The search for a graft material that provides patient with rehabilitation with little damage and also suits maxillofacial surgeon needs has been incessant. Autogenous bone is still considered the gold standard for grafting because of its properties, although it has some disadvantages and the majority of its complications are associated with the donor site. Currently, bioengineering develops new materials and resources primarily for tissue regeneration area. In this context, scaffolds of natural or synthetic origin with the purpose of promoting tissue regeneration have been widely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro biological behavior as viability, cell proliferation, adhesion and potential of stem cell differentiation of human dental pulp grown on scaffold samples composed of a new blend of poly £-caprolactone/poly(rotaxano). Dental pulp stem cells obtained from human molars (hDPSCs) were grown from frozen samples and re-characterized. Cells were seeded onto scaffolds samples or glass coverslips and cultured in different media: clonogenic, mineralizing and conditioned by the biomaterial extract per 1,3,7,14 and 21 days. Cells growth curves and viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, formation of mineralized nodules were assessed. Cell adhesion was observed by scanning electron microscopy up to 7 days cultures. Scaffolds were flat, flexible and proved to be amphiphilic with physical characteristics of randomly arranged fibers and pores interconnected with an average diameter of 13,5?m and aperture average area of 87,14µm2. The hDPSCs expressed typical levels of mesenchymal stem cell surface markers. There was no inhibition of cell growth at the biomaterial interface. The growth rates and viability were more significant (p <0.01), especially in 7 days, to cultures over scaffolds in clonogenic medium. Similar results were observed with the mineralizing medium (p <0.05). There formation of mineralized nodules was increased in the cultures in the presence of scaffolds, in other words, the biomaterial stimulated cell differentiation. In scanning electron microscopy the cells were shown to be attached until 7-day period with formation of sheets over the scaffolds. The blend of poly ?-caprolactone/poly(rotaxano) shows biocompatibility in vitro, revealing promising aspects to be functionalized by stem cells derived from human dental pulp with potential to be used as bioactive biomaterials for bone tissue bioengineering.

A busca por um material de enxertia que se adapte às necessidades do cirurgião bucomaxilofacial e também que proporcione ao paciente retorno de sua função com menores danos possíveis, tem sido incessante. O enxerto autógeno é ainda hoje considerado padrão ouro devido suas propriedades, porém, ele apresenta algumas desvantagens, sendo que as maiorias de suas complicações estão associadas ao leito doador. Atualmente, a engenharia de biomateriais trabalha com o desenvolvimento de novos materiais e recursos principalmente na área de regeneração tecidual. Neste contexto, scaffolds de origem natural ou sintética com o propósito de promover a regeneração de tecidos tem sido amplamente estudados. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar in vitro o comportamento biológico quanto à viabilidade, proliferação celular, adesão e potencial de diferenciação de células tronco de polpa dentária humana cultivadas sobre amostras de scaffold composto por uma nova blenda de poli ?-caprolactona/poli (rotaxano). Células tronco de polpa dentária de molares humanos (hDPSCs) foram cultivadas a partir de amostras congeladas e re-caracterizadas. As células foram semeadas sobre amostras dos scaffolds e sob lamínulas de vidro e cultivadas em diferentes meios: clonogênico, mineralizante e condicionado pelo extrato do biomaterial por 1,3,7,14 e 21 dias. Foram avaliadas as curvas de crescimento e viabilidade celulares, a atividade de fosfatase alcalina, a formação de nódulos de mineralização. A adesão celular foi observada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura até o cultivo de 7 dias. Os scaffolds eram lisos, flexíveis e mostraram-se anfifílicos com características físicas de fibras dispostas aleatoriamente e poros interconectados com diâmetro médio de 13,5?m e abertura com área média de 87,14µm2. As hDPSCs expressaram níveis típicos de marcadores de superfície de células-tronco mesenquimais. Não houve inibição de crescimento celular na interface com o biomaterial. As curvas de crescimento e viabilidade mostraram-se mais significativas (p<0.01), especialmente em 7 dias, para as culturas sobre os scaffolds em meio clonogênico. Resultados semelhantes foram observados com o meio mineralizante (p<0.05). Houve maior formação de nódulos de mineralização nas culturas com a presença dos scaffolds, ou seja, o biomaterial estimulou a diferenciação celular. Em microscopia eletrônica de varredura as células mostraram-se aderidas até o período de 7 dias com formação de lençóis sobre os scaffolds. A blenda de poli £-caprolactona/poli (rotaxano) apresentou biocompatibilidade in vitro, revelando aspectos promissores de serem funcionalizadas por células tronco derivadas de polpa dentária humana com potencial de uso como biomaterial bioativo para bioengenharia de tecido ósseo. / The search for a graft material that provides patient with rehabilitation with little damage and also suits maxillofacial surgeon needs has been incessant. Autogenous bone is still considered the gold standard for grafting because of its properties, although it has some disadvantages and the majority of its complications are associated with the donor site. Currently, bioengineering develops new materials and resources primarily for tissue regeneration area. In this context, scaffolds of natural or synthetic origin with the purpose of promoting tissue regeneration have been widely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro biological behavior as viability, cell proliferation, adhesion and potential of stem cell differentiation of human dental pulp grown on scaffold samples composed of a new blend of poly £-caprolactone/poly(rotaxano). Dental pulp stem cells obtained from human molars (hDPSCs) were grown from frozen samples and re-characterized. Cells were seeded onto scaffolds samples or glass coverslips and cultured in different media: clonogenic, mineralizing and conditioned by the biomaterial extract per 1,3,7,14 and 21 days. Cells growth curves and viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, formation of mineralized nodules were assessed. Cell adhesion was observed by scanning electron microscopy up to 7 days cultures. Scaffolds were flat, flexible and proved to be amphiphilic with physical characteristics of randomly arranged fibers and pores interconnected with an average diameter of 13,5?m and aperture average area of 87,14µm2. The hDPSCs expressed typical levels of mesenchymal stem cell surface markers. There was no inhibition of cell growth at the biomaterial interface. The growth rates and viability were more significant (p <0.01), especially in 7 days, to cultures over scaffolds in clonogenic medium. Similar results were observed with the mineralizing medium (p <0.05). There formation of mineralized nodules was increased in the cultures in the presence of scaffolds, in other words, the biomaterial stimulated cell differentiation. In scanning electron microscopy the cells were shown to be attached until 7-day period with formation of sheets over the scaffolds. The blend of poly ?-caprolactone/poly(rotaxano) shows biocompatibility in vitro, revealing promising aspects to be functionalized by stem cells derived from human dental pulp with potential to be used as bioactive biomaterials for bone tissue bioengineering.

<p>Medical devices used for diagnosis and treatment often involve the exposure of the patient’s blood to biomaterials that are foreign to the body, and blood-material contact may trigger coagulation and lead to thrombotic complications. Therefore, the risk of thrombosis and the issue of blood compatibility are limitations in the development of biomaterials for blood-contacting applications. The objective of this research was to develop a dual strategy for surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to prevent thrombosis by (1) grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to inhibit non-specific protein adsorption, and (2) covalently attaching an antithrombin-heparin (ATH) covalent complex to the distal end of the PEG chains to inhibit coagulation at the surface.</p> <p>Surface characterization via contact angle measurements confirmed reductions in hydrophobicity for the modified surfaces and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that heparin and ATH were present. The predisposition of PDMS to induce blood coagulation was investigated, and advantages of ATH over heparin in inhibiting coagulation on PDMS were demonstrated. Studies of protein interactions using radiolabelling and Western blotting demonstrated the ability of PEG-modified surfaces to resist non-specific protein adsorption, and the ability of ATH- and heparin-modified surfaces to specifically bind AT present in plasma, thereby providing anticoagulant activity. Through specific interactions with the pentasaccharide sequence on the heparin moiety, the ATH-modified surfaces bound AT more efficiently than the heparin-modified surfaces. Thromboelastography (TEG) was used to evaluate further the anticoagulant potential of the ATH-modified surfaces. It was found that coagulation occurred at a slower rate on the ATH-modified surfaces compared to unmodified PDMS, and the resulting clot was mechanically weaker. By creating a surface with bioinert and bioactive properties, non-specific protein adsorption was reduced and anticoagulation at the surface through specific protein binding was promoted. This dual PEO/ATH modification strategy may therefore offer an improved approach for the minimization of thrombosis on PDMS and biomaterial surfaces more generally.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)