Engineering of a collagen-based extracellular matrix mimetic scaffold via electrospinning

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Engineering of a collagen-based extracellular matrix mimetic scaffold via electrospinning Jorge Almodovar1 and David Castilla1 1 University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, Department of Chemical Engineering, Puerto Rico Nanofibrous scaffolds have been extensively used in tissue engineering due to its resemblance to native extracellular matrix (ECM) in scale, orientation, and geometry. Collagen is one of the biological polymers more suitable to be used in the fabrication of scaffolds. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing strength and structure to tissues. Electrospun collagen nanofibrous scaffolds have been previously investigated using harsh solvents that disrupt collagen’s secondary structure and limits its applications as implantable devices. Our work focuses on the generation of a nanofibrous structure that mimics the morphology, organization, nanoscale and composition of native ECM. Type II collagen from cow tendon, was used to fabricate a nanofibrous structure via the electrospinning technique using a mild aqueous solvent. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to confirm the morphology of the nanofibrous structure. SEM revelead that it was possible to fabricate an aligned or randomly oriented nanofibrous structure of type II collagen, with a range of diameters between from 36 to 130 nm. To utilize the collagen membranes in aqueous environment, crosslinking was performed by: 1) immersion in a 25% glutaraldehyde solution and 2) exposure to glutaraldehyde vapor. The chemical composition of the nanofibers was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Secondary structure determination was based on the amide I band (1700–1600 cm-1), which is commonly used to study the secondary structure proteins. FTIR confirms that the secondary structure of collagen is preserved after the electrospinning process and after crosslinking. Un-crosslinked and crosslinked type II collagen membranes were mechanically tested with an Instron ElectroPuls model E3000 in tension mode at a constant displacement of 1.0 mm/s. Measurements for the un-crosslinked samples were performed in air at room temperature whereas the crosslinked samples were submerged in deionized water and tested at 37 degrees C using a BioPlus Temperature Controlled Bath. The crosslinking process allows for the fabrication of collagen scaffolds with mechanical properties in the range of soft tissues such as cartilage, and stable in water environments at body temperature. Young's Moduli (MPa) of 12.2 ± 3.3 for un-crosslinked nanofibers, 4.1 ± 0.5, for crosslinked - by immersion and 2.7 ± 0.7 for crosslinked – vapor were obtained. In conclusion, we developed a nanofibrous scaffold of type II collagen that preserves its chemical and secondary structure. Nanofibrous membranes were obtained with morphological and mechanical features similar to that found in soft tissues in the human body, which may be suitable as scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Keywords: Extracellular Matrix, biomaterial, nanofiber, material design Conference: 10th World Biomaterials Congress, Montréal, Canada, 17 May - 22 May, 2016. Presentation Type: General Session Oral Topic: Electrospinning and related technologies Citation: Almodovar J and Castilla D (2016). Engineering of a collagen-based extracellular matrix mimetic scaffold via electrospinning. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. Conference Abstract: 10th World Biomaterials Congress. doi: 10.3389/conf.FBIOE.2016.01.00762 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Mar 2016; Published Online: 30 Mar 2016. Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jorge Almodovar David Castilla Google Jorge Almodovar David Castilla Google Scholar Jorge Almodovar David Castilla PubMed Jorge Almodovar David Castilla Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.