Due to their elastomeric behavior, polyurethane-based scaffolds can find various applications in soft-tissue engineering. However, their relatively inert surface has to be modified in order to improve cell colonization and control cell fate. The present study focuses on porous biodegradable scaffolds based on poly(ester-urea-urethane), functionalized concomitantly to the scaffold elaboration with low-molecular-weight (LMW) fucoidan; and their bio-activation with platelet rich plasma (PRP) formulations with the aim to promote cell response. The LMW fucoidan-functionalization was obtained in a very homogeneous way, and was stable after the scaffold sterilization and incubation in phosphate-buffered saline. Biomolecules from PRP readily penetrated into the functionalized scaffold, leading to a biological frame on the pore walls. Preliminary in vitro assays were assessed to demonstrate the improvement of scaffold behavior towards cell response. The scaffold bio-activation drastically improved cell migration. Moreover, cells interacted with all pore sides into the bio-activated scaffold forming cell bridges across pores. Our work brought out an easy and versatile way of developing functionalized and bio-activated elastomeric poly(ester-urea-urethane) scaffolds with a better cell response.

In tissue engineering, porous biodegradable scaffolds are developed with morphological, chemical and mechanical properties to promote cell response. Therefore, the scaffold characterization at a (sub)micrometer and (bio)molecular level is paramount since cells are sensitive to the chemical signals, the rigidity, and the spatial structuring of their microenvironment. In addition to the analysis at room temperature by conventional quasi-static (0.1-45 Hz) mechanical tests, the ultrasonic (10 MHz) and µ-Brillouin inelastic light scattering (13 GHz) were used in this study to assess the dynamical viscoelastic parameters at different frequencies of elastomeric scaffolds. Time-temperature superposition principle was used to increase the high frequency interval (100 MHz-100 THz) of Brillouin experiments providing a mean to analyse the viscoelastic behavior with the fractional derivative viscoelastic model. Moreover, the µ-Raman analysis carried out simultaneously during the µ-Brillouin experiment, gave the local chemical composition.

Bone loss can occur as a result of various pathologies, traumas and injuries and poor bone healing leads to functionally debilitating condition, loss of self-sufficiency and deterioration in life quality. Given the increasing incidence of facial trauma and the emergence of new procedural techniques, advanced scaffolds are currently developed as substitutes for bone tissue engineering. In this study, we investigated the capability of a chemically cross-linked ε-caprolactone-based poly(ester-urethane-urea) (PCLU) scaffold to support bone regeneration. In vitro assays demonstrated that PCLU scaffolds could be colonized by cells through direct cell seeding and cell migration from outside to scaffold inside. Moreover, PCLU scaffolds could provide a suitable environment for stem cells proliferation in a 3D spatial arrangement, and allowed osteogenic differentiation under appropriate induction. In vivo results revealed the osteogenic properties of PCLU scaffolds through a drilled-hole femoral bone defect repair improvement in rats. Using histology and microtomography analysis, we showed that PCLU scaffolds fit well the bone cavity and were eventually entrapped between the newly formed trabeculae. Finally, no sign of inflammation or rejection was noticed. We envision that PCLU scaffolds can provide the clinicians with a substitute having appropriate characteristics for the treatment of bone defects.

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