The chorioallantoic membrane of the chick embryo as a simple model for the study of the angiogenic and inflammatory response to biomaterials

Angiogenesis is essential in wound healing and a common feature in chronic inflammation which is crucially involved in the biological response to biomaterials. A useful system to evaluate the angiogenic activity and the inflammatory potency of various agents is the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo. Here we examined its response to different biomaterials. Smooth materials such as PVC or the polyurethane Tecoflex(R) either unmodified or modified by an OH- or N(CH3)(3)(+)-end group (HEMA or MAPTAC) inhibited angiogenesis and did not induce the formation of granulation tissue. The anti-angiogenic effects of PVC, Tecoflex(R) and its HEMA modification, however, were only seen at an early stage of development. In contrast, the MAPTAC modified Tecoflex(R) inhibited angiogenesis over the whole time. Rough materials, e.g. filter paper or a collagen/elastin membrane, stimulated angiogenesis and induced the formation of inflammatory tissue. Histological analysis revealed that the filter material was homogeneously populated with cells consisiting mainly of macrophages, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The collagen/elastin membrane was only partially infiltrated with cells. Among those also clusters of granulocytes were present pointing to an acute inflammatory process. These data show that the angiogenic activity and inflammatory response of biomaterials strongly depend on the chemical composition and the physical structure of the material. The CAM assay appears to be a useful tool for studying biocompatibility. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.