Biosynthetic PCL-graft-Collagen Bulk Material for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Biosynthetic materials have emerged as one of the most exciting and productive fields in polymer chemistry due to their widespread adoption and potential applications in tissue engineering (TE) research. In this work, we report the synthesis of a poly(ε-caprolactone)-graft-collagen (PCL-g-Coll) copolymer. We combine its good mechanical and biodegradable PCL properties with the great biological properties of type I collagen as a functional material for TE. PCL, previously dissolved in dimethylformamide/dichloromethane mixture, and reacted with collagen using carbodiimide coupling chemistry. The synthesised material was characterised physically, chemically and biologically, using pure PCL and PCL/Coll blend samples as control. Infrared spectroscopy evidenced the presence of amide I and II peaks for the conjugated material. Similarly, XPS evidenced the presence of C–N and N–C=O bonds (8.96 ± 2.02% and 8.52 ± 0.63%; respectively) for PCL-g-Coll. Static contact angles showed a slight decrease in the conjugated sample. However, good biocompatibility and metabolic activity was obtained on PCL-g-Coll films compared to PCL and blend controls. After 3 days of culture, fibroblasts exhibited a spindle-like morphology, spreading homogeneously along the PCL-g-Coll film surface. We have engineered a functional biosynthetic polymer that can be processed by electrospinning.

Encapsulation and Characterization of Gentamicin Sulfate in the Collagen Added Electrospun Nanofibers for Skin Regeneration

“…In particular, PCL is a semi-crystalline and hydrophobic polymer approved by FDA and is frequently used in tissue engineering field [ 10 ], due to optimal mechanical properties coupled with long degradation times in vivo [ 20 ]. The addition of collagen to PCL to form scaffolds in different forms (i.e., sponges [ 21 ], biodegradable films [ 22 ], and nanofibers [ 23 ]) has in fact improved interaction with cells, promotion of adhesion and/or differentiation mechanism for the recruitment of a newly formed ECM matter, for in vitro and in vivo regeneration [ 4 , 19 , 20 , 24 ]. Indeed, hydrophilic natural proteins offer specific binding sites for cell adhesion while synthetic polymers confer to the scaffold a more efficient mechanical support [ 25 ].…”

Tailored PCL Scaffolds as Skin Substitutes Using Sacrificial PVP Fibers and Collagen/Chitosan Blends

“…Electrospinning is a versatile technique to produce a fibrous structure for the mimicking of ECM. However, as far as the architecture is concerned, a balance should be maintained between cell adhesion, which is more properly conducted by the sub-micron size of structural fibers, and cell infiltration, which prefers a pore size arising from a micron-order structure [24,25]. In this study, PCL, as a common polymer that is used in biomedical engineering applications, was utilized; however, due to its hydrophobic nature and the absence of cell recognition sites, it is not a good choice for tissue engineering applications and requires surface modification for improved biocompatibility.…”

Biomimetic Properties of Force-Spun PHBV Membranes Functionalised with Collagen as Substrates for Biomedical Application

“…Although this biopolymer (and monomers and oligomers) has been shown to be an excellent candidate biomaterial for tissue engineering [29], similar work on nerve and skin tissue engineering have shown improved surface properties and cellular behaviour on collagen-coated nanofibers [4,5,18]. Collagen is a key component of the extracellular matrix present in nearly every tissue in the human body; thus it's grafting to a base polymer has been shown to increase the adhesion and proliferation of cells onto polymeric scaffolds [30], making collagen functionalisation treatment an attractive practice for enhancing the biological performance of a material.…”