ObjectiveTo explore the effect of silk fibroin/poly(L-lactic acid-co-e-caprolactone) [SF/P(LLA-CL)] nanofibrous scaffold on tendon-bone healing of rabbits.MethodsSF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated by electrospinning methods. The morphology of the scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pre-osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the scaffold and cultured for 1, 3, and 5 days. Cell adhesion and proliferation were also observed by SEM. Meanwhile, twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the autogenous tendon group (control group) and the autogenous tendon wrapped with SF/P(LLA-CL) scaffold group (experimental group), with twelve rabbits in each group. An extra-articular model was established, the effect was evaluated by histological examination and mechanical testing.ResultsThe morphology of SF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffold was random, with a diameter of (219.4±66.5) nm. SEM showed that the MC3T3-E1 cells seeded on the scaffold were in the normal shape, growing well, and proliferating with time course. The results of histological examination showed that inflammatory cells infltrated into the graft-host bone interface at 6 weeks after operation in both groups. Besides, the width of interface showed no significant difference between groups. At 12 weeks after operation, protruding new bone tissue could be observed at the interface in the experimental group, while scar tissue but no new bone tissue could be seen at the interface in the control group. Mechanical testing showed that there was no significant difference in the failure load and the stiffness between groups at 6 weeks after operation (P>0.05). The failure load and the stiffness in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 12 weeks after operation (P<0.05).ConclusionThe SF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffold has good cell biocompatibility and can effectively promote tendon-bone healing, thus providing new method for modifying graft for ACL reconstruction in the clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo prepare hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds with different morphologies, and to explore the additional dimensionality for tuning the physicochemical properties of the scaffolds and the effect of their hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility.MethodsElectrospinning poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) bicomponent fibers (PCL∶PVP mass ratios were 8∶2 and 5∶5 respectively), and the surface porous fibrous scaffolds were prepared by extracting PVP components. The scaffolds were labeled PCL-P8 and PCL-P5 respectively according to the mass ratio of polymer. In addition, shish-kebab (SK) structured scaffolds with different kebab sizes were created by solution incubation method, which use electrospun PCL fibers as shish while PCL chains in solution crystallizes on the fiber surface. The PCL fibrous scaffolds with smooth surface was established as control group. The hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds were characterized by field emission scanning electron microspore, water contact angle tests, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) experiments. The venous blood of New Zealand white rabbits was taken and hemolysis and coagulation tests were used to characterize the blood compatibility of the scaffolds. The proliferation of the pig iliac artery endothelial cell (PIEC) on the scaffolds was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method, and the biocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated.ResultsField emission scanning electron microscopy showed that porous morphology appeared on the surface of PCL/PVP bicomponent fibers after extracting PVP. In addition, SK structure with periodic arrangement was successfully prepared by solution induction, and the longer the crystallization time, the larger the lamellar size and periodic distance. The contact angle and DSC measurements showed that when compared with smooth PCL fiber scaffolds, the crystallinity of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds increased, while the hydrophobicity of PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds increased, but the hydrophobicity of PCL porous scaffolds did not change significantly. The hemolysis test showed that the hemolysis rate of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds was higher than that of PCL fibrous scaffolds. According to American Society of Materials and Tests (ASTM) F756-08 standard, all scaffolds were non-hemolytic materials and were suitable for blood contact materials. Coagulation test showed that the coagulation index of PCL surface porous fibrous scaffolds and PCL-SK fibrous scaffolds was higher than that of PCL fibrous scaffolds at 5 and 10 minutes of culture. CCK-8 assay showed that both hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds were more conducive to PIEC proliferation than PCL fibrous scaffold.ConclusionBased on electrospinning technology, solution-induced and blend phase separation methods can be used to construct multi-scale fiber scaffolds with different morphologies, which can not only regulate the surface physicochemical properties of the scaffolds, but also have good blood compatibility and biocompatibility. The hierarchically structured fibrous scaffolds have high application potential in the field of tissue engineering.
Cartilage with limited self-repairing ability is a kind of tissue with relatively hypocellular structure, low nerve distribution and vascular nutrient. Cartilage tissue engineering provides a new therapeutic idea for cartilage injured cartilage repairing in clinical practice. Electrospinning fibrous scaffold with three-dimensional structure like extracellular matrix is suitable for cell growth and bioactive factor loading for cartilage tissue engineering. This paper introduces studies of the application of electrospinning technology in repairing damaged cartilage by simulating highly hierarchical structures and mechanical features from the aspects of composition optimization, structure optimization and multi-technology combination.