Fibrin-targeted block copolymers for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions

John M. Medley, Eugene Kaplan, Helieh S. Oz, Sharath C. Sundararaj, David A. Puleo, Thomas D. Dziubla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite advances in surgical methods, postsurgical adhesions (PSA) remain a significant clinical challenge affecting millions of patients each year. These permanent fibrous connections between tissues result from the bridging of wounded internal surfaces by an extended fibrin gel matrix (FGM). Adhesion formation is a result of a systems level convergence of wound healing pathways, complicating the design of materials that could inhibit their occurrence. In this study, a systematic approach that identifies key material properties required for functional performance optimization was used to design a new fibrin-targeted PSA prevention material. A series of multifunctional polymers with varied molecular architectures was synthesized to investigate the effect of changing polymer structural parameters on the ability to disrupt the formation of an extended FGM. Initial studies in a murine adhesion model demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the degree of PSA formation, demonstrating the potential value of this systematic approach.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)102-110
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part B Applied Biomaterials
Volume99 B
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchR03DE019496

    Keywords

    • CREKA
    • block copolymer
    • fibrin
    • in vivo
    • postsurgical adhesion

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biomaterials
    • Biomedical Engineering

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