Abstract
One of the ongoing challenges in tissue engineering is the synthesis of a hemocompatible vascular graft. Specifically, the material used in the construct should have antithrombogenic properties and support the growth of vascular cells. Our laboratory has designed a novel biodegradable, elastomeric copolymer, poly(1,8‐octanediol citrate) (POC), with mechanical and degradation properties suitable for vascular tissue engineering. The hemocompatibility of POC in vitro and its ability to support the attachment and differentiation of human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) was assessed. The thrombogenicity and inflammatory potential of POC were assessed relative to poly(l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) and expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene), as they have been used in FDA‐approved devices for blood contact. Specifically, platelet aggregation and activation, protein adsorption, plasma clotting, and hemolysis were investigated. To assess the inflammatory potential of POC, the release of IL‐1β and TNF‐α from THP‐1 cells was measured. The cell compatibility of POC was assessed by confirming HAEC differentiation and attachment under flow conditions. POC exhibited decreased platelet adhesion and clotting relative to control materials. Hemolysis was negligible and protein adsorption was comparable to reference materials. IL‐1β and TNF‐α release from THP‐1 cells was comparable among all materials tested, suggesting minimal inflammatory potential. POC supported HAEC differentiation and attachment without any premodification of the surface. The results described herein are encouraging and suggest that POC is hemocompatible and an adequate candidate biomaterial for in vivo vascular tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007