Functional supramolecular bioactivated electrospun mesh improves tissue ingrowth in experimental abdominal wall reconstruction in rats.

Development of biomaterials for hernia and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair is encouraged because of high local complication rates with current materials. Therefore, we aimed to develop a functionalized electrospun mesh that promotes tissue ingrowth and provides adequate mechanical strength and compliance during degradation. We describe the in vivo function of a new supramolecular bioactivated polycarbonate (PC) material based on fourfold hydrogen bonding ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) units (UPy-PC). The UPy-PC material was functionalized with UPy-modified cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide additives. Morphometric analysis of the musculofascial content during wound healing showed that cRGD functionalization promotes myogenesis with inhibition of collagen deposition at 14 days. It also prevents muscle atrophy at 90 days and exerts an immunomodulatory effect on infiltrating macrophages at 14 days and foreign body giant cell formation at 14 and 90 days. Additionally, the bioactivated material promotes neovascularization and connective tissue ingrowth. Supramolecular cRGD-bioactivation of UPy-PC-meshes promotes integration of the implant, accelerates tissue ingrowth and reduces scar formation, resulting in physiological neotissue formation when used for abdominal wall reconstruction in the rat hernia model. Moreover, cRGD-bioactivation prevents muscle atrophy and modulates the inflammatory response. Our results provide a promising outlook towards a new type of biomaterial for the treatment of hernia and POP. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Development of biomaterials for hernia and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair is encouraged because of high local complication rates with current materials. Ureidopyrimidinone-polycarbonate is a elastomeric and biodegradable electrospun mesh, which could mimic physiological compliance. The UPy-PC material was functionalized with UPy-modified cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide additives. Supramolecular cRGD-bioactivation of UPy-PC-meshes promotes integration of the implant, accelerates tissue ingrowth and reduces scar formation, resulting in physiological neotissue formation when used for abdominal wall reconstruction in rat hernia model. Moreover, cRGD-bioactivation prevents muscle atrophy and modulates the inflammatory response. These data provide a promising outlook towards a new type of biomaterial for the treatment of hernia and POP.