Dual-Scale Polymeric Constructs as Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

This research activity was aimed at the development of dual-scale scaffolds consisting of three-dimensional constructs of aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfilaments and electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers. PCL constructs composed by layers of parallel microsized filaments (0/90° lay-down pattern), with a diameter of around 365 μm and interfilament distance of around 191 μm, were produced using a melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing technique. PLGA electrospun fibers with a diameter of around 1 μm were collected on top of the PCL constructs with different thicknesses, showing a certain degree of alignment. Cell culture experiments employing the MC3T3 murine preosteoblast cell line showed good cell viability and adhesion on the dual-scale scaffolds. In particular, the influence of electrospun fibers on cell morphology and behavior was evident, as well as in creating a structural bridging for cell colonization in the interfilament gap.

A novel Electrospinning Procedure for the Production of Straight Aligned and Winded Fibers

“…Mota et al with this processing configuration improved the reliability and reproducibility of the fabrication of dual-scale scaffolds consisting of three-dimensional constructs of aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfilaments and electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers. Beside of improving the fabrication process a better control over the packing density of the collected fibers was achieved [16].…”

Hybrid Microfabrication of Nanofiber-Based Sheets and Rods for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…Since electrospun nanofiber structures are too subtle to provide the mechanical support for scaffolds, a number of studies have been made toward a stiff microstructure to overcome the inherent delicacy and 2D limitation of nanofibers. 23,[30][31][32] To this end, 3D roll-type nanofiber scaffolds are demonstrated here by incorporating a core microfiber structure by polymer melt extrusion. Figure 6A shows the relation of the extruded microfiber radius versus the velocity of needle movement at two different applied air pressures.…”

Characterizing the Reproducibility of the Properties of Electrospun Poly(d,l-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Scaffolds for Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel Mimics

“…As mentioned earlier, there is no accepted standard of scaffold reproducibility. Through scaffold characterization, several published studies have established varying mean fiber diameters and ranges [78][79][80] . The scaffolds in the Cal Poly lab will therefore be characterized for the current electrospinning system.…”

“…Although the mean fiber diameters are smaller than the ones obtained in this study, the standard deviations are comparable to those of the Standard Protocol. The electrospun microfibers within those ranges were found to influence cellular responses 78 . Another study that used electrospun 75:25 PLGA to coat titanium produced fibers with diameter 0.957 ± 0.357 µm 79 .…”

“…Thus, it is important to control the variability of these fibers in order to prevent the formation of larger fibers that may interfere with ideal cellular activity. One study produced electrospun PLGA fibers in the following ranges: 0.81 ± 0.40 µm, 1.04 ± 0.39 µm, and 1.11 ± 0.58 µm 78 . Although the mean fiber diameters are smaller than the ones obtained in this study, the standard deviations are comparable to those of the Standard Protocol.…”