Hierarchical Decoration of Eggshell Membrane with Polycaprolactone Nanofibers to fabricate a Bilayered Scaffold for Skin Tissue Engineering

Abstract

ABSTRACTEggshell Membrane (ESM) is a naturally occurring proteinaceous microfibrous scaffold capable of mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM). The extraction methodology deployed for its extraction process impedes its extensive application as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine. Herein, a unique route was deployed to decorate the surface of ESM with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber in order to ameliorate the above problems and also fabricate a novel ECM mimicking bilayered scaffold for skin tissue engineering applications. Microstructural and surface topographic analysis confirms the formation of bilayered structure with smooth electrospun PCL nanofibers decorated on ESM. Carbodiimide chemistry was utilized to crosslink the two layers. Cytocompatibility evaluation of scaffolds was carried out with Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. The biomimetic architecture and protein rich composition of as fabricated bilayered construct facilitated extensive cell adhesion, proliferation and migration in contrast the bare natural tissue led to impeded cell adhesion.