Poly(ester amide) Co-polymers Promote Blood and Tissue Compatibility

A family of biodegradable poly(ester amide) (PEA) co-polymers based on naturally occurring α-amino acids has been developed for applications ranging from biomedical device coatings to delivery of therapeutic biologics. An important feature of PEA co-polymer coatings may be their ability to promote a natural healing response. To gain insight into this process, representative elastomeric PEAs designed for a cardiovascular stent coating were compared to non-degradable and biodegradable polymers in a series of in vitro assays to examine blood and cellular responses. Each PEA contained L-leucine and L-lysine with the latter derivatized by either benzyl alcohol or the nitroxide radical 4-amino TEMPO as a pendant group. Monocytes adherent to PEA secreted reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-1β into the culture supernatant compared to those on comparison polymers but secreted significantly higher amounts of the anti-inflammatory mediator, IL-1 receptor antagonist. As a measure of pro-...