INTERACTIONS OF COPOLYMERIC POLY(GLYCERYL METHACRYLATE)-COLLAGEN HYDROGELS WITH NEURAL TISSUE - EFFECTS OF STRUCTURE AND POLAR GROUPS

In a previous study we developed copolymeric glyceryl methacrylate-collagen hydrogels for implantation in surgical lesions of the rat brain. Such materials provide porous matrices that can serve as support systems for oriented growth of scar tissue and axonal growth. In the present work, we have investigated the effect of structural modifications (studied by mercury porosimetry) of polymeric matrices and the effect of polar groups on the response of the brain tissue. The findings show that the fractional porosity and the pore size distribution of matrices are critical for tissue ingrowth and that negative charges, i.e. carboxylic acid groups, incorporated in the polymer have a strong influence on reactive astrocytosis.