Abstract
Electrospun polymers are an example of multi-functional biomaterials that improve the material-cellular interaction and aimed at enhancing wound healing. The main objective of this work is to fabricate electrospun polyurethane membranes using arginine as chain extender (PUUR) in order to test the fibroblasts affinity and adhesion on the material and the polymer toxicity. Polyurethane membranes were prepared in two steps: (i) the polyurethane synthesis, and ii) the electrospinning process. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The evaluation of PUUR as a scaffolding biomaterial for growing and developing of cells on the material was realized by LIVE/DEAD staining. The results show that the fluorescent surface area of human fibroblasts (hFB), was greater in control dense membranes made from Tecoflex than in electrospun and dense PUUR. From SEM analysis, the electrospun membranes show relatively uniform attachment of cells with a well-spread shape, while Tecoflex dense membranes show a non-proliferating round shape, which is attributed to the fiber’s structure in electrospun membranes. The cell morphology and the cell attachment assay results reveal the well spreading of hFB cells on the surface of electrospun PUUR membranes which indicates a good response related to cell adhesion.
Highlights
Polyurethanes (PUs) are synthetic polymers used for medical applications due to their semipermeability [1], good mechanical properties, easy processing, and biocompatibility [2]
An electrospinning method was implemented for preparing fibrous PU membranes containing arginine as a chain extender
Contact angle tests showed that PUUR dense membranes present moderately hydrophilic properties; the contact angles in the electrospun membranes do not show a determinant result in adhesion evaluation of human fibroblasts (hFB)
Summary
Polyurethanes (PUs) are synthetic polymers used for medical applications due to their semipermeability [1], good mechanical properties, easy processing, and biocompatibility [2]. These characteristics have permitted to use the PUs in permanent medical devices, vascular scaffolds [3], and cutaneous scaffolds [4]. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine (2021) 32:104 the biocompatibility of PUs, the main disadvantage is their limited cell recognition and, low levels of cell adhesion and proliferation [6], which affects its use as a skin scaffold, since it does not improve the healing time of the wound. Incorporation of amino acids as polyurethane chain extenders can increase the adhesion and proliferation response [7, 9]
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