Biodegradable Scaffolds for Vascular Regeneration Based on Electrospun Poly(L-Lactide-co-Glycolide)/Poly(Isosorbide Sebacate) Fibers

Abstract

Vascular regeneration is a complex process, additionally limited by the low regeneration potential of blood vessels. Hence, current research is focused on the design of artificial materials that combine biocompatibility with a certain rate of biodegradability and mechanical robustness. In this paper, we have introduced a scaffold material made of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(isosorbide sebacate) (PLGA/PISEB) fibers fabricated in the course of an electrospinning process, and confirmed its biocompatibility towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The resulting material was characterized by a bimodal distribution of fiber diameters, with the median of 1.25 µm and 4.75 µm. Genotyping of HUVEC cells collected after 48 h of incubations on the surface of PLGA/PISEB scaffolds showed a potentially pro-angiogenic expression profile, as well as anti-inflammatory effects of this material. Over the course of a 12-week-long hydrolytic degradation process, PLGA/PISEB fibers were found to swell and disintegrate, resulting in the formation of highly developed structures resembling seaweeds. It is expected that the change in the scaffold structure should have a positive effect on blood vessel regeneration, by allowing cells to penetrate the scaffold and grow within a 3D structure of PLGA/PISEB, as well as stabilizing newly-formed endothelium during hydrolytic expansion.

In Vivo Osteogenic and Angiogenic Properties of a 3D-Printed Isosorbide-Based Gyroid Scaffold Manufactured via Digital Light Processing

“…Isosorbide was also incorporated into a composite scaffold for vascular regeneration. The combination of PLGA and poly(isosorbide sebacate) (PISEB) was shown to be cytocompatible with HUVEC and showed pro-angiogenic gene expression [ 28 ]. Moreover, CSMA-2 demonstrated an angiogenic response that can be observed via CAM assay and IHC analysis of CD-31 markers, with or without calcium phosphate addition [ 4 ].…”

Harnessing the power of polyol-based polyesters for biomedical innovations: synthesis, properties, and biodegradation

“…Vascular regeneration is a complex process, further complicated by the limited regenerative potential of blood vessels. Śmiga-Matuszowicz et al 220 developed a scaffold material composed of poly( l -lactide- co -glycolide)/poly(isosorbide sebacate) (PLGA/PISEB) electrospun fibers as a platform for blood vessel regeneration. Although the low glass transition temperature and low molecular mass of PISEB precluded the formation of pure PISEB fibers, electrospinning in conjunction with PLGA yielded robust PLGA/PISEB scaffolds with a bimodal distribution of fiber diameters, resulting from varying sizes of PLGA and PLGA/PISEB fibers (Fig.…”