Application of low loading of collagen in electrospun poly[(l-lactide)-co-(ε-caprolactone)] nanofibrous scaffolds to promote cellular biocompatibility

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 63; no. 7; pp. 1254 - 1262
• Main Authors: Daranarong, Donraporn, Thapsukhon, Boontharika, Wanandy, Nico S, Molloy, Robert, Punyodom, Winita, Foster, L John R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2014; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Attachment; Biological and medical sciences; Blending; cell cycle; collagen; Collagens; Electrospinning; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Fibre; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Health; Medical sciences; nanofibres; Nanostructure; olfactory ensheathing cells; poly[(l-lactide)-co-(ε-caprolactone)]; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Scaffolds; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Cell proliferation; Biological properties; Peripheral nervous system; nanofibres; Glial cell; Lactone copolymer; Polymer blends; Property composition relationship; Tissue engineering; cell cycle; Synthetic fiber; Electrospinning; Nanofiber; Experimental study; Lactone polymer; Solvent spinning; Caprolactone copolymer; olfactory ensheathing cells; poly[(L-lactide)-co-(∈-caprolactone)]; Collagen; Animal protein; Biocompatibility; Biomaterial; Diameter
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.4631

Blending poly[(l‐lactide)‐co‐(ε‐caprolactone)] with 2.0% (w/w) collagen significantly changes electrospun fibre morphology, which assists in improving the initial attachment and health of olfactory ensheathing cells. Electrospinning of various polymers has been used to produce nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix and support cell attachment for the potential repair and engineering of nerve tissue. In the study reported here, an electrospun copolymer of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone (67:33 mol%) resulted in a nanofibrous scaffold with average fibre diameter and pore size of 476 ± 88 and 253 ± 17 nm, respectively. Blending with low loadings of collagen (<2.5% w/w) significantly reduced the average diameter and pore size. The uniformity of fibre diameter distributions was supported with increasing collagen loadings. The nanofibrous scaffolds significantly promoted the attachment and proliferation of olfactory ensheathing cells compared to cells exhibiting asynchronous growth. Furthermore, analysis of cell health through mitochondrial activity, membrane leakage, cell cycle progression and apoptotic indices showed that the nanofibrous membranes promoted cell vigour, reducing necrosis. The study suggests that the use of more cost‐effective, low loadings of collagen supports morphological changes in electrospun poly[(l‐lactide)‐co‐(ε‐caprolactone)] nanofibrous scaffolds, which also support attachment and proliferation of olfactory ensheathing cells while promoting cell health. The results here support further investigation of the electrospinning of these polymer blends as conduits for nerve repair. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry