Tissue remodeling after implantation with Polymethylmethacrylate: an experimental study in mice

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a filler used for aesthetic and/or repair purposes. The response to the implantation of biomaterials varies according to factors related to the patient, the professional responsible for the application and the material used. In vitro and in vivo experimental models have been used to study aspects such as the organism/biomaterial interface and the role of macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory reactions related to polymer concentration, implantation depth and exposure time. Different concentrations of PMMA were implanted in different anatomical planes in mice. The consequences of contact with PMMA, from structural changes to the inflammatory characteristic of tissue damage, were histologically evaluated. The implantation interfered in the morphological structure of the region where it was implanted, expanding it and due to the inflammatory reaction generated, by the presence of the vehicle in the initial phase and by the collagen produced in the chronic phase. The 30% concentration of PMMA induced a greater presence of foreign body giant cells both subcutaneously, at 7, 30 and 90 days after implantation (DAI), and intramuscular at 30DAI. Tissue remodeling was more expressive in the subcutaneous region with significant density of the extracellular matrix at 90DAI. In conclusion, the foreign body reaction resulting from the implantation process acquires different characteristics depending on the anatomical plane and the concentration of implanted product, where the more superficial the implantation plane, the greater the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, PMMA concentration and the depth of implantation did not influence the collagen production.