Effect of polyurethane chemistry and protein coating on monocyte differentiation towards a wound healing phenotype macrophage

Tissue regeneration alternatives for peripheral vascular disease are actively being investigated; however, few studies in this area have probed the role of the wound healing monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM). Inflammatory MDMs transition to wound healing MDMs as the relative levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) decrease and IL-10 increase. TNF-α has been linked to the regulation of HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1 protein), a nuclear protein that upon macrophage stimulation can be secreted and act as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. This study investigated the influence of a degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane (D-PHI) on MDM cell expression of pro- versus anti-inflammatory markers, when the material was uncoated or pre-coated with collagen prior to cell studies. Effects were compared to similar groups on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Collagen coated TCPS and D-PHI had significantly more DNA than the uncoated TCPS after 7d (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006 respectively); however, there was significantly less esterase activity from cells on D-PHI (±collagen) than for cells on TCPS after 7d (p = 0.002, p = 0.0003 respectively). No significant differences in esterase activity were observed between collagen coated and non-coated D-PHI surfaces. Analyses of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1) secreted from differentiating monocytes adherent to D-PHI demonstrated a decrease whereas anti-inflammatory IL-10 increased over time when compared to TCPS, suggesting that D-PHI was less inflammatory than TCPS. Since D-PHI maintains cell attachment while aiding in the transition of MDM to a wound healing phenotype, this material has qualities suitable to be used in tissue engineering applications where MDM play a key role in tissue regeneration.