Electrospun Composite Scaffolds Research Articles

Biodegradable electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/polyethylene glycol/bioactive glass composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

The field of tissue engineering has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, driven by the pursuit of innovative solutions to address the challenges of bone regeneration. In this study, we developed an electrospun composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The composite scaffold is made of a blend of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), with the incorporation of calcined and lyophilized silicate-chlorinated bioactive glass (BG) particles. Our investigation involved a comprehensive characterization of the scaffold's physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, alongside an evaluation of its biological efficacy employing alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The incorporation of PEG and BG resulted in elevated swelling ratios, consequently enhancing hydrophilicity. Thermal gravimetric analysis confirmed the efficient incorporation of BG, with the scaffolds demonstrating thermal stability up to 250°C. Mechanical testing revealed enhanced tensile strength and Young's modulus in the presence of BG; however, the elongation at break decreased. Cell viability assays demonstrated improved cytocompatibility, especially in the PLCL/PEG+BG group. Alizarin red staining indicated enhanced osteoinductive potential, and fluorescence analysis confirmed increased cell adhesion in the PLCL/PEG+BG group. Our findings suggest that the PLCL/PEG/BG composite scaffold holds promise as an advanced biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.

Preparation, design, and characterization of an electrospun polyurethane/calcium chloride nanocomposite scaffold with improved properties for skin tissue regeneration

The present research paper explores the potential of electrospun nanofibers in the promising field of skin tissue engineering. Specifically, we propose an advanced preparation and characterization of an electrospun Polyurethane/Calcium Chloride (PU/CaCl2) nanocomposite scaffold, devised to boost the scaffold’s physicochemical and biological properties for skin tissue regeneration. By incorporating CaCl2 into the PU matrix using an electrospinning process, we were able to fabricate a novel nanocomposite scaffold. The morphological examination through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed that the fiber diameter of the PU/CaCl2 (563 ± 147 nm) scaffold was notably smaller compared to the control (784 ± 149 nm). The presence of CaCl2 in the PU matrix was corroborated by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the PU/CaCl2 scaffold exhibited superior tensile strength (10.81 MPa) over pristine PU (Tensile −6.16 MPa, Contact angle - 109° ± 1° and Roughness - 854 ± 32 nm) and revealed enhanced wettability (72° ± 2°) and reduced surface roughness (274 ± 104 nm), as verified by Contact angle and Atomic Force Microscopy. The developed scaffold demonstrated improved anticoagulant properties, indicating its potential for successful integration within a biological environment. The improved properties of the PU/CaCl2 nanocomposite scaffold present a significant advancement in electrospun polymer nanofibers, offering a potential breakthrough in skin tissue engineering. However, additional studies are required to thoroughly evaluate the scaffold’s effectiveness in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. We aim to catalyze significant advancements in the field by revealing the creation of a potent skin scaffold leveraging electrospun nanofibers. Encouraging deeper exploration into this innovative electrospun composite scaffold for skin tissue engineering, the PU/CaCl2 scaffold stands as a promising foundation for pioneering more innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions in biomedical applications.

Multifunctional electrospun nanofibrous scaffold enriched with alendronate and hydroxyapatite for balancing osteogenic and osteoclast activity to promote bone regeneration.

Electrospun composite nanofiber scaffolds are well known for their bone and tissue regeneration applications. This research is focused on the development of PVP and PVA nanofiber composite scaffolds enriched with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles and alendronate (ALN) using the electrospinning technique. The developed nanofiber scaffolds were investigated for their physicochemical as well as bone regeneration potential. The results obtained from particle size, zeta potential, SEM and EDX analysis of HA nanoparticles confirmed their successful fabrication. Further, SEM analysis verified nanofiber's diameters within 200-250nm, while EDX analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of HA and ALN into the scaffolds. XRD and TGA analysis revealed the amorphous and thermally stable nature of the nanofiber composite scaffolds. Contact angle, FTIR analysis, Swelling and biodegradability studies revealed the hydrophilicity, chemical compatibility, suitable water uptake capacity and increased in-vitro degradation making it appropriate for tissue regeneration. The addition of HA into nanofiber scaffolds enhanced the physiochemical properties. Additionally, hemolysis cell viability, cell adhesion and proliferation by SEM as well as confocal microscopy and live/dead assay results demonstrated the non-toxic and biocompatibility behavior of nanofiber scaffolds. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assays demonstrated osteoblast promotion and osteoclast inhibition, respectively. These findings suggest that developed HA and ALN-loaded PVP/PVA-ALN-HA nanofiber composite scaffolds hold significant promise for bone regeneration applications.

Preparation, characterization, and bioactivity of reinforced monetite with chitosan-gelatin electrospun composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering

In this study, chitosan-gelatin-monetite (CGM)-based electrospun scaffolds have been developed that closely mimicked the microstructure and chemical composition of the extracellular matrix of natural bone. CGM-based nanofibrous composite scaffolds were prepared with the help of the electrospinning technique, post-cross-linked using ethyl(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide solution to improve their stability in an aqueous environment. The prepared chitosan/gelatin (CG) scaffold showed an average fiber diameter of 308 ± 17 nm, whereas 5 and 7 wt% monetite containing CGM5 and CGM7 scaffolds, exhibited an average fiber diameter of 287 ± 13 and 265 ± 9 nm, respectively, revealing the fine distribution of monetite particles on the fibrous surface. The distribution of monetite nanoparticles onto the CG nanofibrous surface was confirmed using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and EDAX. Moreover, the addition of 7 wt% monetite into the CG electrospun matrix increased their ultimate tensile strength from 7.62 ± 0.13 MPa in the CG scaffold to 14.34 ± 0.39 MPa in the CGM7 scaffold. Simulated body fluid study and staining with alizarin red S (ARS) confirmed the higher mineralization ability of monetite-containing scaffolds compared to that revealed by the CG scaffold. The monetite incorporation into the CG matrix improved its osteogenic properties, including pre-osteoblast MG-63 cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, when seeded with the cells. A higher degree of cellular adhesion, spreading, and migration was observed on the monetite-incorporated CG scaffold than that on the CG scaffold. From 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, ARS staining, and immunocytochemistry study, the cultured cells discovered a more conducive microenvironment to proliferate and subsequently differentiate into osteoblast lineage in contact with CGM7 nanofibers rather than that in CGM0 and CGM5. In-vitro results indicated that electrospun CGM-based composite scaffolds could be used as a potential candidate to repair and regenerate new bone tissues.

Myogenic differentiation of human myoblasts and Mesenchymal stromal cells under GDF11 on Poly-ɛ-caprolactone-collagen I-Polyethylene-nanofibers

BackgroundFor the purpose of skeletal muscle engineering, primary myoblasts (Mb) and adipogenic mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) can be co-cultured and myogenically differentiated. Electrospun composite nanofiber scaffolds represent suitable matrices for tissue engineering of skeletal muscle, combining both biocompatibility and stability Although growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) has been proposed as a rejuvenating circulating factor, restoring skeletal muscle function in aging mice, some studies have also described a harming effect of GDF11. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the effect of GDF11 on co-cultures of Mb and ADSC on poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL)-collagen I-polyethylene oxide (PEO)-nanofibers.ResultsHuman Mb were co-cultured with ADSC two-dimensionally (2D) as monolayers or three-dimensionally (3D) on aligned PCL-collagen I-PEO-nanofibers. Differentiation media were either serum-free with or without GDF11, or serum containing as in a conventional differentiation medium. Cell viability was higher after conventional myogenic differentiation compared to serum-free and serum-free + GDF11 differentiation as was creatine kinase activity. Immunofluorescence staining showed myosine heavy chain expression in all groups after 28 days of differentiation without any clear evidence of more or less pronounced expression in either group. Gene expression of myosine heavy chain (MYH2) increased after serum-free + GDF11 stimulation compared to serum-free stimulation alone.ConclusionsThis is the first study analyzing the effect of GDF11 on myogenic differentiation of Mb and ADSC co-cultures under serum-free conditions. The results of this study show that PCL-collagen I-PEO-nanofibers represent a suitable matrix for 3D myogenic differentiation of Mb and ADSC. In this context, GDF11 seems to promote myogenic differentiation of Mb and ADSC co-cultures compared to serum-free differentiation without any evidence of a harming effect.

Curcumin Release from Biomaterials for Enhanced Tissue Regeneration Following Injury or Disease.

Curcumin, a bioactive phenol derived from turmeric, is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial molecule. Although curcumin exhibits beneficial effects in its innate form, it is highly hydrophobic, which leads to poor water solubility and, consequently, low bioavailability. The lack of bioavailability limits curcumin's effectiveness as a treatment and restricts its use in clinical applications. Furthermore, to achieve beneficial, clinically relevant results, high doses of curcumin are required for systemic administration. Many researchers have utilized biomaterial carriers, including electrospun fibers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and composite scaffolds, to overcome curcumin's principle therapeutic limitation of low bioavailability. By using biomaterials to deliver curcumin directly to injury sites, researchers have harnessed the beneficial natural properties of curcumin while providing scaffolding to support tissue regeneration. This review will provide an in-depth overview of the literature that utilizes biomaterial delivery of curcumin for tissue regeneration in injury and disease models.

Effects of the methyl methacrylate addition, polymerization temperature and time on the MBG@PMMA core-shell structure and its application as addition in electrospun composite fiber bioscaffold

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) possesses a high specific surface area and excellent biocompatibility making it a promising biomaterial. In the present study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was coated on MBG to obtain a MBG@PMMA core-shell structure to further expand the potential applications of MBG. Changes in the MMA to MBG ratio, polymerization temperature and time were investigated to determine their effects on the core-shell structure. The as-prepared core-shell powders were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to determine the optimal core-shell structure for electrospinning application. Electrospun composite fiber scaffolds prepared by adding MBG with or without an optimized PMMA shell were examined through microstructural observation, mechanical testing, Raman spectroscopy, and in vitro bioactivity evaluation. Experimental results showed that optimized MBG@PMMA core-shell powder was prepared using MMA: MBG = 3: 1, with polymerization at 70 °C for 4 h. The spherical core-shell powder exhibited a relatively smooth surface and the flake- or cotton-like shell structure was beneficial to electrospinning. Electrospun composite fiber scaffold prepared using MBG@PMMA powder exhibited superior mechanical performance and excellent biocompatibility compared to its shell-less MBG counterpart.

Electrospun Magnetic Composite Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/Magnetite Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: Composition, Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Biological Performance.

Magnetically responsive composite polymer scaffolds have good potential for a variety of biomedical applications. In this work, electrospun composite scaffolds made of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and magnetite (Fe3O4) particles (MPs) were studied before and after degradation in either PBS or a lipase solution. MPs of different sizes with high saturation magnetization were synthesized by the coprecipitation method followed by coating with citric acid (CA). Nanosized MPs were prone to magnetite-maghemite phase transformation during scaffold fabrication, as revealed by Raman spectroscopy; however, for CA-functionalized nanoparticles, the main phase was found to be magnetite, with some traces of maghemite. Submicron MPs were resistant to the magnetite-maghemite phase transformation. MPs did not significantly affect the morphology and diameter of PHB fibers. The scaffolds containing CA-coated MPs lost 0.3 or 0.2% of mass in the lipase solution and PBS, respectively, whereas scaffolds doped with unmodified MPs showed no mass changes after 1 month of incubation in either medium. In all electrospun scaffolds, no alterations of the fiber morphology were observed. Possible mechanisms of the crystalline-lamellar-structure changes in hybrid PHB/Fe3O4 scaffolds during hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation are proposed. It was revealed that particle size and particle surface functionalization affect the mechanical properties of the hybrid scaffolds. The addition of unmodified MPs increased scaffolds' ultimate strength but reduced elongation at break after the biodegradation, whereas simultaneous increases in both parameters were observed for composite scaffolds doped with CA-coated MPs. The highest saturation magnetization─higher than that published in the literature─was registered for composite PHB scaffolds doped with submicron MPs. All PHB scaffolds proved to be biocompatible, and the ones doped with nanosized MPs yielded faster proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, all electrospun scaffolds were able to support angiogenesis in vivo at 30 days after implantation in Wistar rats.

Fabrication and Characterization of Gelatin/Calcium Phosphate Electrospun Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Fabrication and Characterization of Gelatin/Calcium Phosphate Electrospun Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Fabrication and characterization ofchitosan‐gelatin/single‐walledcarbon nanotubes electrospun composite scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering applications

AbstractCartilage is a connective tissue with a slow healing rate due to lack in blood circulation and slow metabolism. Designing tissue engineering scaffolds modified based on its specific features can assist its natural regeneration process. In this study, the chitosan‐gelatin/single‐walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by COOH (SWNTs‐COOH) nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated through electrospinning. The effect of each component and different duration of cross‐linking were assessed in terms of morphology, porosity, chemical structure, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, wettability, biodegradability, and in vitro cell culture study. Adding SWNTs‐COOH decreased fiber diameter, water contact angle and degradation rate while increased tensile strength, hydrophilicity, stability and cell viability, due to their high intrinsic electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties and the presence of COOH functional groups in its structure. All the sample presented a porosity percentage of more than 80%, which is essential for tissue engineering scaffolds. The presence SWNTs‐COOH did not have any adverse effect on cytocompatibility. The optimal cross‐linking time increased the stability of the scaffolds in PBS. It can be concluded that the chitosan‐gelatin/1wt% SWNTs‐COOH scaffold can be appropriate for cartilage tissue engineering applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Electrospun Composite Scaffolds Based on Chitosan-Carboxylated Graphene Oxide with Potential Biomedical Applications.

This research study reports the development of chitosan/carboxylated graphene oxide (CS/GO-COOH) composite scaffolds with nanofibrous architecture using the electrospinning method. The concept of designed composite fibrous material is based on bringing together the biological properties of CS, mechanical, electrical, and biological characteristics of GO-COOH with the versatility and efficiency of ultra-modern electrospinning techniques. Three different concentrations of GO-COOH were added into a chitosan (CS)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution (the ratio between CS/PEO was 3/7 (w/w)) and were used in the synthesis process of composite scaffolds. The effect of GO-COOH concentration on the spinnability, morphological and mechanical features, wettability, and biological properties of engineered fibrous scaffolds was thoroughly investigated. FTIR results revealed the non-covalent and covalent interactions that could take place between the system’s components. The SEM micrographs highlighted the nanofibrous architecture of scaffolds, and the presence of GO-COOH sheets along the composite CS/GO-COOH nanofibers. The size distribution graphs showed a decreasing trend in the mean diameter of composite nanofibers with the increase in GO-COOH content, from 141.40 nm for CS/PG 0.1% to 119.88 nm for CS/PG 0.5%. The dispersion of GO-COOH led to composite scaffolds with increased elasticity; the Young’s modulus of CS/PG 0.5% (84 ± 4.71 MPa) was 7.5-fold lower as compared to CS/PEO (662 ± 15.18 MPa, p < 0.0001). Contact angle measurements showed that both GO-COOH content and crosslinking step influenced the surface wettability of scaffolds, leading to materials with ~1.25-fold higher hydrophobicity. The in vitro cytocompatibility assessment showed that the designed nanofibrous scaffolds showed a reasonable cellular proliferation level after 72 h of contact with the fibroblast cells.

Paclitaxel-loaded lignin particle encapsulated into electrospun PVA/PVP composite nanofiber for effective cervical cancer cell inhibition

Electrospun composite nanofibrous scaffolds have been regarded as a potential carrier for local drug delivery to prevent tumor recurrence. Herein, a model drug (paclitaxel) was creatively loaded into lignin nanoparticles (PLNPs) and then encapsulated into the polymer of poly (vinyl alcohol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone which has been fabricated into a composite nanofibrous membrane (PVA/PVP-PLNPs) for use as a drug carrier using the electrospinning technique. The fabricated PVA/PVP-PLNPs membranes exhibited good particle distribution, mechanical properties, thermal stability and biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that combining lignin nanoparticles by electrospinning not only improved the drug release profile, but also enhanced the hydrophilicity of nanofibrous membranes which was beneficial to cell adhesion and proliferation. Cellular experiments demonstrated that PVA/PVP-2%PLNPs membrane showed good cell inhibition ability, and the cell survival rate was only 21% at day 7. It indicates that the as-prepared PVA/PVP-PLNPs composite nanofibers are promising candidates for local anticancer therapy.

Concurrent application of conductive biopolymeric chitosan/ polyvinyl alcohol/ MWCNTs nanofibers, intracellular signaling manipulating molecules and electrical stimulation for more effective cardiac tissue engineering

Fabrication of appropriate electro-conductive scaffold, application of small molecules (SMs), electrical stimulation (ES), and stem cells are steps forward in cardiac tissue engineering. Herein, for the first time, all mentioned factors have been taken into account concurrently regarding the differentiation of unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) into cardiac cells. To accomplish this goal, electrospun composite scaffolds made of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs; ranged from 0 to 2.5% w/w) were fabricated. After analyzing mechanical, electrical, and biological properties, the best MWCNTs portion was selected. Of note, the addition of 2%w/w MWCNTs to the CS/PVA samples reduced average fiber diameter from 225 to 110 nm, increasing electrical conductivity from 8 × 10−5 S/m to 9 × 10−3 S/m and trebling tensile strength. Then, by using a 10-day differentiation protocol (including CHIR99021, IWP2, SB431542, and purmorphamine SMs) and ES, USSCs were induced into cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of some cardiac-associated genes, including troponin I, CX43, and β-MHC, along with proper phenotypic alteration, were observed. (Scaffold + SM + ES) show a significant increase in the expression of these genes, 172, 5.3, and 64-times as normalized to undifferentiated cells, respectively. Our findings confirmed the importance of the simultaneous implementation of different factors for the developing functionality of the cardiac tissue. Altogether, it is recommended to deploy all mentioned features to obtain effective cardiac tissue engineering.

Nanographene enfolded AuNPs sophisticatedly synchronized polycaprolactone based electrospun nanofibre scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Herein, we report the bioactivity of monodispersed nanosized reduced graphene oxide (RGO) enfolded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) engineered polycaprolactone (PCL) based electrospun composite scaffolds. The 2D patterns of PCL based nanofibers prepared by the homogenous distribution of RGO-AuNPs exhibited unique topological and biological features such as mechanical properties, porous structure, large surface area, high electrical conductivity, biodegradability, and resemble the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports the adhesion, growth, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells. The prepared composite nanofibers based scaffolds containing RGO-AuNPs accelerated neuronal cell functions and confirmed that the optimized concentration showed cytocompatibility to PC12 and S42 cells. The 0.0005 wt% loading of RGO-AuNPs on PCL has a huge impact on neurite growth which leads to an almost one-fold increase in neurite length growth. The present study provides a new strategic design of highly efficient scaffolds that have a significant direct impact on cell activity and could be a potential bioimplant for peripheral nerve repair.

Oxygen-Releasing Antibacterial Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Lack of suitable auto/allografts has been delaying surgical interventions for the treatment of numerous disorders and has also caused a serious threat to public health. Tissue engineering could be one of the best alternatives to solve this issue. However, deficiency of oxygen supply in the wounded and implanted engineered tissues, caused by circulatory problems and insufficient angiogenesis, has been a rate-limiting step in translation of tissue-engineered grafts. To address this issue, we designed oxygen-releasing electrospun composite scaffolds, based on a previously developed hybrid polymeric matrix composed of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). By performing ball-milling, we were able to embed a large percent of calcium peroxide (CP) nanoparticles into the PGS/PCL nanofibers able to generate oxygen. The composite scaffold exhibited a smooth fiber structure, while providing sustainable oxygen release for several days to a week, and significantly improved cell metabolic activity due to alleviation of hypoxic environment around primary bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Moreover, the composite scaffolds also showed good antibacterial performance. In conjunction to other improved features, such as degradation behavior, the developed scaffolds are promising biomaterials for various tissue-engineering and wound-healing applications.

Reconstruction of abdominal wall with scaffolds of electrospun poly (l-lactide-co caprolactone) and porcine fibrinogen: An experimental study in the canine.

The use of permanent synthetic materials for abdominal wall repair is currently the method of choice. However, they are not ideal as short-term and long-term complications have been reported for these materials including chronic groin pain (pain that lasted longer than 3months), which occurred in 10-12% of patients, and host immunological responses to foreign body grafts. In the present randomized paired study we compared an electrospun composite scaffold composed of poly (l-lactide-co-caprolactone) [PLCL] blended with porcine fibrinogen (F-Fg) (PLCL/F-Fg), with a polypropylene mesh (PPM) as the control in a canine abdominal wall defect model (in 36 Beagle dogs). A blend ratio of 4:1 PLCL: F-Fg1 scaffold possessed optimal physical characteristics including shrinkage rate, mechanical strength, porosity and super-hydrophilic properties. Macroscopic, histological and biomechanical evaluations were performed over a period of 36weeks and the results indicated that the resorbable PLCL/F-Fg1 electrospinning scaffold could effectively induce and augment abdominal skeletal muscle regeneration. The degradation rate of the PLCL/F-Fg1 scaffold and the rate of new tissue growth reached a balance and the biomechanical strength returned to baseline within 2weeks of implantation. The immunohistological data demonstrated the presence of regenerated skeletal muscle tissue for PLCL/F-Fg1 scaffolds, whereas the PPM exhibited dense fibrous encapsulation along the perimeter of the mesh. The data provides the foundation for future clinical applications of PLCL/F-Fg1 composite scaffolds for reconstructive surgery of abdominal wall defects.

Harsh environment resistant - antibacterial zinc oxide/Polyetherimide electrospun composite scaffolds.

Strategies for developing materials with the functionality to combat bacterial infection are targets for applications such as smart bandages and bone tissue integration. This work milestone was to develop ZnO-polyetherimide (ZnO/PEI) composite scaffolds with antibacterial activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The electrospinning process using suspensions of PEI with different ZnO nanoparticles content were heightened to promote spinnability, jet stability, and fibers with morphological homogeneity. Simulating harsh environments (laser ablation and solvent corrosion) was employed onto specimens and antibacterial functionality, morphology variations, contact angle, and tensile strength variability were evaluated. The antibacterial outcomes, accessed by a modified version of the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Z 2801, presented an inhibition rate up to 100 and 99% after 24 h for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The treated samples presented alike responses against both bacteria, highlighting the robustness of the developed scaffolds.

Mechanical and biological evaluations of novel electrospun PLLA composite scaffolds doped with oxide ceramics

The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vitro performance of the novel electrospun composite scaffolds that are made of 10% PLLA in binary solvents (75 vol% dichloromethane: 25 vol% acetone) doped with 0.1 wt% of oxide ceramic powders (Hafnium dioxide (HfO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2)). These composite scaffolds were characterized microscopically (SEM, TEM and EDX), mechanically (Vickers hardness and tensile strength) and in in vitro cell studies (biomineralization, protein absorption, and cytocompatibility) with MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts. The combination of PLLA polymer with oxide ceramics was indicated to be able to provide osteogenic properties that can enhance osteoblastic cell proliferation. In particular, results from the study demonstrated that the presence of zirconia and hafnia in the PLLA/ZrO2 and PLLA/HfO2 composite scaffolds could increase cell proliferation, protein adsorption and biomineralization properties significantly more than other two groups’ scaffolds. PLLA/TiO2 provided the best mechanical strength than others (p < 0.05). To conclude, the novel composite scaffolds, which are promising biomaterials for tissue engineering, could be manufactured easily by electrospinning techniques.

Biological behavior of the curcumin incorporated chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers for biomedical applications.

Electrospun composite scaffolds show high ability to be used in regenerative medicine and drug delivery, due to the nanofibrous structure and high surface area to volume ratio. In this study, we used nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated by chitosan (CS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), carbopol, and polycaprolactone using a dual electrospinning technique while curcumin (Cur) incorporated inside of the CS/PVA fibers. Scaffolds were fully characterized via scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, tensile measurement, hydration, protein adsorption, and wrinkled tests. Furthermore, viability of the buccal fat pad-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BFP-MSCs) was also investigated using MTT assay for up to 14 days while cultured on these scaffolds. Cell cycle assay was also performed to more detailed evaluation of the stem cells growth when grown on scaffolds (with and without Cur) compared with the culture plate. Results demonstrated that Cur loaded nanofibrous scaffold had more suitable capability for water absorption and mechanical properties compared with the scaffold without Cur and it could also support the stem cells viability and proliferation. Cur release profile showed a decreasing effect on BFP-MSCs viability in the initial stage, but it showed a positive effect on stem cell viability in a long-term manner. In general, the results indicated that this nanofibrous scaffold has great potential as a delivery of the Cur and BFP-MSCs simultaneously, and so holds the promising potential for use in various regenerative medicine applications.

Electrospun cellulose Nano fibril reinforced PLA/PBS composite scaffold for vascular tissue engineering

Today, tissue engineered scaffolds made by electrospinning are becoming a central focus of vascular prostheses research due to their ability to assist native tissue recovery. Compared to a single material, multifunctional composite scaffold could provide more suitable microenvironment for the tissue regeneration. In this study, electrospun composite scaffolds are developed by reinforcing a matrix of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) by cellulose nano-fibrils (CNFs). Initially, PLA/PBS fibrous scaffolds with different ratio were prepared. The best properties and bioactivity of the scaffolds were obtained at equal ratio of PLA and PBS. Overall performance of electrospun scaffolds improved greatly by introduction of CNF into the PLA/PBS scaffolds. The developed composite scaffolds were found to meet some of the essential requirements for vascular tissue regeneration. They showed a uniform fibrous structure with desirable size dimension, cell-friendly surface characteristics, sustainable biodegradation behaviour and sustainable mechanical property compared to native tissue. In addition, the CNF composite scaffolds supported attachment and proliferation of human fibroblast cells more than PLA, PBS or their blends alone. Overall the developed composite scaffolds demonstrated their potency for vascular tissue engineering application.