Polyurethanes immune response

For many water-insoluble polymers the Immune response, if any, is more difficult to evaluate. Recently, Habal and coworkers (]JL) have reported a method to assess the effect of solid implant materials such as silicone, segmented polyether-polyurethane, polyCmethyl methacrylate), and Bioglas using tumor-bearing mice as the experimental model. They have found that the B-cells from the test animals showed a reduced capacity for proliferation when stimulated by mitogens as compared to the controls. The results demonstrate once again that even the relatively biocompatible solid polymers may have a measurable effect on the immune system. 

This is a complex group of polymers. Their propensity to stimulate an inunune response is very small since there are few molecular groups which would be perceived as foreign by the host, perhaps explaining why clinical immune responses to polyurethanes have not been reported. 

Damage to the implant. The inflammation which is part of the initiation of the immune response is an oxidative response. Materials subject to oxidative attack, such as polyethylenes and polyurethanes, may be degraded. 

---