Cell response of cultured macrophages, fibroblasts, and co-cultures of Kupffer cells and hepatocytes to particles of short-chain poly [(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid]

The known biodegradability of poly [(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid](PHB) in certain biological environments has lead to its proposed use as biodegradable, biocompatible polymer. Recently, a new, rapidly biodegradable blockcopolymer has been synthesized that contains crystalline domains of PHB blocks. During degradation of these polymers, the PHB-domains are transformed in a first step into small crystalline particles of short-chain PHB. Therefore, particles of short-chain poly [(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid](Mn˜ 2300)(PHB-P), as possible ...