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Evaluation of Polylactic Acid Homopolymers as Carriers for Bone Morphogenetic Protein
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1992
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Tissue EngineeringEngineeringBone RepairMolecular BiologyBiomedical EngineeringPla160/bmp CompositesOsteoporosisOrthopaedic SurgeryBone Morphogenetic ProteinRegenerative MedicineSynthetic Bone SubstitutePolylactic Acid HomopolymersBone Morphogenic ProteinRegenerative BiomaterialsBone RemodelingPolymer ChemistryPolylactic AcidSkeletal BiologyBiomolecular EngineeringPolymer ScienceHard Tissue EngineeringBmp CarrierMedicineBiomaterials
Polylactic acid (PLA) homopolymers with molecular weights of 105,000; 21,000; 3300; 650; and 160d (PLA105000, PLA21000, PLA3300, PLA650, and PLA160, respectively) were prepared and evaluated as carriers for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Composites consisting of 4 mg of water-soluble, semipurified BMP and 100 mg of one of the PLA homopolymers were implanted into the dorsal muscles of mice. PLA105000/BMP, PLA21000/BMP, PLA3300/BMP, and PLA160/BMP composites failed to induce new bone formation; PLA105000, PLA21000, and PLA3300 elicited foreign-body reactions or chronic inflammation (or both), and PLA160 produced tissue necrosis. PLA650/BMP composites induced cartilage formation within one week and induced bone with hematopoietic marrow at three weeks postimplantation. PLA650/BMP composites were completely absorbed and replaced by new bone. The results suggest that within this group of PLA homopolymers, PLA650 may be the only type suitable for use as a BMP carrier.