Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/chondroitin sulfate nanofibrous scaffold: Fabrication and in vitro evaluation

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers have attracted a lot of attention in recent years in tissue engineering applications. In this research, novel polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/chondroitin sulfate (PVA/GE/Cs) nanofibrous scaffolds using non-carcinogen solvent system via electrospinning technique was evaluated. A solvent system containing water and acetic acid was used as a safe solvent system to obtain a homogenous mixture with suitable solvent properties and finally non-toxic nanofibrous scaffolds. The effect of water to the acetic acid ratio in the solvent system (7:3, 6:4, 5:5, 4:6, 3:7) and also polymer concentration (8, 9, 10w/v %) on nanofibers morphology was investigated. The appropriate flow rate and voltage ranges to obtain uniform and bead-free electrospun scaffold were investigated. Effect of different Cs ratio (0, 10, 15 and 20wt%) on solution properties was evaluated. Influence of Cs ratio on chemical, physical and thermal properties of the electrospun scaffolds was studied. The results of cell toxicity indicated that prepared PVA/GE/Cs scaffolds have no cell toxicity. SEM results demonstrated that L929 mouse fibroblast cells have suitable interaction with scaffold surface and also attached and proliferated well on the prepared substrate after 24 and 48h and also have a potential for using in tissue engineering.