Design and in vivo evaluation of the angiogenic potential of a poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) tissue engineering scaffol

Rapid vascularization of a tissue engineering scaffold upon implantation is key to its success in vivo as it promotes transplanted cell survival and host tissue integration. Previous work has demonstrated the pro-angiogenic potential of Methacrylic Acid containing copolymers in vivo. Poly(Butyl Methacrylate-co-Methacrylic Acid) (BMA-MAA) scaffolds were evaluated for their ability to promote angiogenesis in a subcutaneous implant model without the use of exogenous growth factors. Scaffolds fabricated by a novel in situ polymerization solvent casting/particulate leaching technique had high porosity (>80%) and pore size range 100-650mum. Compression testing of the scaffolds demonstrated a dependence on the compressive stiffness and yield strength for scaffold porosity, salt fusion time and choice of comonomer. Subcutaneous implantation of BMA-MAA scaffolds in mice revealed an increased level of histological angiogenesis in tissue invading the pores of the scaffold compared to a BMA control. These results support the hypothesis of BMA-MAA as an angiogenic biomaterial.