Abstract
This research activity was aimed at the development of dual-scale scaffolds consisting of three-dimensional constructs of aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfilaments and electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers. PCL constructs composed by layers of parallel microsized filaments (0/90° lay-down pattern), with a diameter of around 365 μm and interfilament distance of around 191 μm, were produced using a melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing technique. PLGA electrospun fibers with a diameter of around 1 μm were collected on top of the PCL constructs with different thicknesses, showing a certain degree of alignment. Cell culture experiments employing the MC3T3 murine preosteoblast cell line showed good cell viability and adhesion on the dual-scale scaffolds. In particular, the influence of electrospun fibers on cell morphology and behavior was evident, as well as in creating a structural bridging for cell colonization in the interfilament gap.
Highlights
Tissue engineering has been receiving great interest over the last two decades due to its potential in developing living constructs that can meet individual tissue defects
The present research activity was focused on the development of a dual-scale tissue engineered scaffold by coupling electrospun ultrafine fibers to microfilament structures; this allows for the introduction of a nanoscale topography that offers high surface area for cell adhesion, as well as a structural bridging between adjacent microfilaments that can create a microenvironment favoring cell mobility and interaction
Dual-scale scaffolds were produced by collecting poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) ultrafine fibers on the top of 3D PCL
Summary
Tissue engineering has been receiving great interest over the last two decades due to its potential in developing living constructs that can meet individual tissue defects. Tuzlakoglu et al [5] were the first to propose this concept by developing scaffolds combining nano- and micro-fibers from starch based biomaterials, produced by means of a two step methodology comprising fiber bonding and electrospinning They showed that the presence of nanofibers influenced the shape and cytoskeletal organization of human osteoblast-like cells and rat bone marrow stromal cells, and improved their cell viability and alkaline phosphatase production. The present research activity was aimed at the development of dual-scale structures in order to couple the mechanical strength and structural reproducibility of 3D microfilament constructs fabricated by additive manufacturing techniques to the advantage of electrospun ultrafine fibers in enhancing cell interaction with polymeric materials. In terms of viability, proliferation and morphology, to the prepared tissue engineered constructs was investigated by tetrazolium salts (WST-1 cell proliferation reagent) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
