The use of magnetron sputtering for the deposition of thin titanium coatings on the surface of bioresorbable electrospun fibrous scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering: A pilot study

Abstract

The deposition of thin titanium coatings using magnetron spattering on the surface of bioresorbable fibrous scaffolds produced by electrospinning was investigated. Parameters that allow the surface modification without damaging the “macro” structure of scaffolds were determined. Physicochemical properties of the modified scaffolds were described using SEM, EDS, DSC, optical goniometry, and mechanical testing. It was shown that plasma treatment has a significant influence on the scaffolds’ fiber surface relief. The modification process leads to a slight decrease of the scaffold mechanical performance mainly caused by polymer crystallization. Increasing the deposition time increases the amount of titanium on the surface. The biocompatibility of the modified scaffolds was studied using hybridoma of the endothelial cells of human umbilical vein and human lung carcinoma (EA.hy 926 cell line). Cell adhesion, viability, and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-8 (IL8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were investigated. It was demonstrated that the deposition of thin titanium coatings on the fibrous scaffolds’ surface enhances cell adhesion. Additionally, it was determined that modified scaffolds have proangiogenic activity.