Development of a Piezoelectric PVDF‐TrFE Fibrous Scaffold to Guide Cell Adhesion, Proliferation, and Alignment

Abstract

Severe peripheral nervous system injuries currently hold limited therapeutic solutions. Existing clinical techniques such as autografts, allografts, and newer nerve guidance conduits have shown variable outcomes in functional recovery, adverse immune responses, and in some cases low or minimal availability. This can be attributed in part to the lack of chemical, physical, and electrical cues directing both nerve guidance and regeneration. To address this pressing clinical issue, electrospun nanofibers and microfibers composed of piezoelectric polyvinylidene flouride‐triflouroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE) have been introduced as an alternative template for tissue engineered biomaterials, specifically as it pertains to their relevance in soft tissue and nerve repair. Here, biocompatible scaffolds of PVDF‐TrFE are fabricated and their ability to generate an electrical response to mechanical deformations and produce a suitable regenerative microenvironment is examined. It is determined that 20% (w/v) PVDF‐TrFE in (6:4) dimethyl formamide (DMF):acetone solvent maintains a desirable piezoelectric coefficient and the proper physical and electrical characteristics for tissue regeneration. Further, it is concluded that scaffolds of varying thickness promoted the adhesion and alignment of Schwann cells and fibroblasts. This work offers a prelude to further advancements in nanofibrous technology and a promising outlook for alternative, autologous remedies to peripheral nerve damage.

Melt electrowriting of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene)

“…39 Furthermore, SES fibers result in values around 85% P(VDF-co-TrFE) (75/25) depending on the fiber orientation 6 and 88% ⊎-phase using P(VDF-co-TrFE) (70/30). 43 Those findings together with the results of the MEW-processed fibers in this study indicate the high impact of the TrFE content, as well as the applied electric field, which is in general higher for SES and/or the fabrication process (melt-or solvent-based), on the resulting ⊎-phase fractions and the overall crystallinity.…”

Advances in Electrospun Nerve Guidance Conduits for Engineering Neural Regeneration

“…Electrospun PVDF scaffolds also suggested as a powerful mean with the ability to direct neural stem cells differentiation into neuronal and glial cells [73]. Another study of the application of Electrospun PVDF in PNS regeneration offered electrospun nanofibers composed of piezoelectric polyvinylidene flouride-triflouroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) that promote the adhesion and alignment of Schwann cells and fibroblasts [74].…”

Application of the pH-Responsive PCL/PEG-Nar Nanofiber Membrane in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

“…The results showed that the contact angle decreased when Nar is added ( p < 0.05). The small contact angle indicates that the hydrophilicity of the PCL/PEG-Nar nanofiber membrane was significantly improved and favorable for cell adhesion and growth ( Martins et al, 2018 ; Orkwis et al, 2020 ).…”