ECM Mimetic Electrospun Porous Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) Scaffolds as Potential Substrates for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) aims to generate potential scaffolds to mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) for recreating the injured myocardium. Highly porous scaffolds with properties that aid cell adhesion, migration and proliferation are critical in CTE. In this study, electrospun porous poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) porous scaffolds were fabricated and modified with different ECM derived proteins such as collagen, gelatin, fibronectin and poly-L-lysine. Subsequently, adult human cardiac fibroblasts (AHCF) were cultured on the protein modified and unmodified fibers to study the cell behavior and guidance. Further, the cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assessments of the respective fibers were performed to determine their biocompatibility. Excellent cell adhesion and proliferation of the cardiac fibroblasts was observed on the PLLA porous fibers regardless of the surface modifications. The metabolic rate of cells was on par with the conventional cell culture ware while the proliferation rate surpassed the latter by nearly two-folds. Proteome profiling revealed that apart from being an anchorage platform for cells, the surface topography has modulated significant expression of the cellular proteome with many crucial proteins responsible for cardiac fibroblast growth and proliferation.

Collagen-functionalized electrospun smooth and porous polymeric scaffolds for the development of human skin-equivalent

“…Electrospun smooth poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and porous scaffolds were fabricated as previously reported with slight modications. 12,33 For smooth bers, PLLA, M w of $80 000-100 000 (Polyscience Inc, Warrington, PA, USA) was dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexauoro-2-propanol (HFIP) (Fujilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, Japan) to obtain a 14.5% w/v of PLLA solution, using magnetic stirring for 4 h. The solution was allowed to rest for another 4 h at room temperature (RT) (25 C). PLLA bers were fabricated using an electrospinner (Nanon-O1A MECC Co. Ltd. Fukuda, Japan).…”

“…Bioactive molecules, when used in scaffolds, need to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), the supportive structure that surrounds the tissue cells, which is made up of many proteins and proteoglycans gathered in an ordered structure. [11][12][13][14] Electrospun bers of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and PLLA blends have been used in a wide variety of biomedical applications such as dressings for wounds, scaffolds for tissue (bone, nerve, skin) engineering, drug release and dental applications. 7,15,16 PLLA is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that hydrolyzes to lactic acid, a biocompatible metabolic byproduct.…”

“…31 In another recent study by Muniyandi et al, porous PLLA bers were modied with ECM components, including collagen, bronectin, gelatin, and poly(L-lysine). 12 Adult human cardiac broblasts (AHCF) were subsequently cultured on the protein modied and unmodied porous bers and showed cellular adhesion and proliferation regardless of the surface modications.…”

Engineering Myocardium for Heart Regeneration—Advancements, Considerations, and Future Directions

“…Numerous natural (e.g., collagen, fibrin, and native ECM) and synthetic [e.g., poly(glycerol sebacate), polyurethane, and polyethylene glycol] scaffold materials have been tested for myocardial regeneration. These materials enable fine-tuning of various important tissue properties including degradation kinetics, elastic modulus, porosity, and immune response (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). In addition, several studies have sought to identify or integrate various signaling factors that can modulate cardiac healingespecially cardiomyocyte proliferation-including growth factors (e.g., NRG-1, FGFs, VEGF, IGF-1), ECM components (e.g., Agrin, Fibronectin, Periostin), and modulators of the Wnt and Hippo pathways (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36).…”

Fabrication and crystallization behavior of hollow poly( l ‐lactic acid) nanofibers

“…In this case, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), which is a biodegradable polymer, could be an excellent material for designing the hollow nanofibers. [28][29][30][31] To develop such hollow PLLA nanofibers, different approaches were tried in past. However, to the best of our knowledge, limited studies have been reported on template wetting method.…”