A Novel Method for the Fabrication of Fibrin-Based Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffold for Tissue-Engineering Applications

Abstract

In this study, fibrin, which is superior to fibrinogen in both structural and functional properties, has for the first time been electrospun successfully into uniform nano fibers resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM). The methods of fabrication and characterization of this unique scaffold are presented. Using poly (vinyl) alcohol as an "electrospinning-driving" polymer, we have developed a novel method for the fabrication of fibrin into a nanofibrous scaffold for various tissue-engineering applications starting from human-plasma-derived fibrinogen and thrombin and combining these ingredients within the syringe of an electrospinning setup under high voltage. In this fashion, fibrin nanofibrous scaffold is produced in a one-step approach without the need for subsequent cross-linking by synthetic agents that compromise the biological properties of the scaffold. Characterization of the electrospun membrane was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and fibrin specific phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin staining. SEM data revealed the formation of bead-free fibers with a dimension ranging from 50-500 nm, which exactly mimics the fiber diameter of native ECM. Cell attachment and proliferation studies revealed that the scaffold supports the attachment, spreading, and proliferation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.