Axially aligned 3D nanofibrous grafts of PLA–PCL for small diameter cardiovascular applications

Abstract

Axially aligned nanofibrous matrices were evaluated as small diameter cardiovascular grafts. Grafts were prepared using the poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) physical blends in the ratios of 75:25 and 25:75 with the dimension of (40 × 0.2 × 4) millimeter by electrospinning using dynamic collector (1500 RPM). Hydrophobicity and tensile stress were significantly higher in PLA-PCL (75:25), whereas tensile strain and fiber density were significantly higher in PLA-PCL (25:75). Properties such as anastomatic strength porosity, average pore size, degradation with retained fiber orientation, and thromboresistivity were comparable between blends. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) adhesion on the scaffolds was observed within 24 h. Cell viability and proliferation were rationally influenced by the aligned nanofibers. Gene expression reveals the grafts thromboresistivity, elasticity, and aided neovascularization. Thus, these scaffolds could be an ideal candidate for small diameter blood vessel engineering.

The influence of specimen thickness and alignment on the material and failure properties of electrospun polycaprolactone nanofiber mats

“…Many studies have focused on the utility of electrospinning for applications in small three‐dimensional fiber‐based tissue replacement scaffolds/grafts . It has had the greatest success in tissue repair/replacement applications like skin, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels .…”

“…Many studies have focused on the utility of electrospinning for applications in small three-dimensional fiber-based tissue replacement scaffolds/grafts. 5,[35][36][37][38][39] It has had the greatest success in tissue repair/replacement applications like skin, 40,41 cartilage, 16 nerves 39 and blood vessels. 3 However, the application of electrospun grafts in thicker tissues, like muscle and even full-thickness skin defects, has had notably less success.…”

Polymerizing Pyrrole Coated Poly (l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) Conductive Nanofibrous Conduit Combined with Electric Stimulation for Long-Range Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

“…Poly (l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) is a nontoxic, biodegradable and synthetic co-polymer of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL; Jin et al, 2009). PLCL has been investigated as a biomaterial for tissue engineering, such as wound healing, formation of cartilage and cardiovascular applications (Jin et al, 2011; He et al, 2013; Sankaran et al, 2014). Moreover, collagen/PLCL nanofibrous scaffolds and silk fibroin/PLCL nanofibrous scaffolds have been proposed to be considered as potential candidates for nerve tissue engineering (Prabhakaran et al, 2009; Zhang et al, 2013).…”

Acellular Endocardium as a Novel Biomaterial for the Intima of Tissue‐Engineered Small‐Caliber Vascular Grafts

“…Some expanded ePTFE grafts have shown only a 10 6 7% attachment rate of endothelial cells; a high proportion of cells was washed off from the lumen when the graft was exposed to pulsatile blood flow. Although degradable synthetic materials are popular such as PGA, PLA (21), and PLGA (22), in fact, most of these materials are not, per se, suitable for endotheliocyte adhesion. Data from a study showed that fewer than 30% of cells remained on the surface after only 1 h of exposure to physiological levels of shear stress.…”