Abstract
A hydrogel based on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) has been designed to act as a platform in an articular cartilage bioreactor for the ex vivo test of scaffolds, simulating the host tissue. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) has been mechanically reinforced by its interpenetration with poly(ethyl acrylate). The resulting IPNs are phase separated systems with a porosity that increases with the amount of PHEA. Compression Youngs modulus decreases and permeability increases when increasing the PHEA content in the samples, being the IPN with a 79% of PHEA the best candidate to mimic articular cartilage.
