Dynamic mechanical analysis and biomineralization of hyaluronan–polyethylene copolymers for potential use in osteochondral defect repair

Treatment options for damaged articular cartilage are limited due to its lack of vasculature and its unique viscoelastic properties. This study was the first to fabricate a hyaluronan (HA)–polyethylene copolymer for potential use in the replacement of articular cartilage and repair of osteochondral defects. Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of HA and high-density polyethylene (HA–co-HDPE) were fabricated with 10, 28 and 50 wt.% HA. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to assess the effect of varying constituent weight ratios on the viscoelastic properties of HA–co-HDPE materials. The storage moduli of HA–co-HDPE copolymers ranged from 2.4 to 15.0 MPa at physiological loading frequencies. The viscoelastic properties of the HA–co-HDPE materials were significantly affected by varying the wt.% of HA and/or crosslinking of the HA constituent. Cytotoxicity and the ability of the materials to support mineralization were evaluated in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. HA–co-HDPE materials were non-cytotoxic, and calcium and phosphorus were present on the surface of the HA–co-HDPE materials 2 weeks after osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow stromal cells. This study is the first to measure the viscoelastic properties and osseocompatibility of HA–co-HDPE for potential use in orthopedic applications.