Effect of inhomogeneity of the electrospun fibrous scaffolds of gelatin/polycaprolactone hybrid on cell proliferation

Abstract

In this article, gelatin (GT) and polycaprolactone (PCL) blended with a weight ratio of 50:50 were dissolved in the trifluoroethanol (TFE) or the acetic acid-doped TFE solvent system (0.2% relative to TFE) to prepare fibrous scaffolds of GT/PCL with different compositional and morphological homogeneities (denoted as the group 1 and the group 2 scaffolds) by electrospinning. The morphology and composition of the two groups of fibrous scaffolds were examined by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Then, using green fluorescence protein-labeled mouse fibroblasts and HaCaT cells (a human keratinocyte cell line) as the model cells, cell adhesion, morphology, and proliferation were assessed by laser scanning confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and cell counting kit-8 assay, respectively. The results showed that the morphological and compositional inhomogeneity of the group 1 scaffolds had a remarkable influence on cell adhesion and proliferation. In contrast, there was no significant difference among the group 2 scaffolds because of their good consistency in fiber morphology and composition. Phase separation resultant GT content variance in the group 1 scaffolds is suggested as one of the major causes. This study highlighted the importance of producing morphologically uniform and compositionally homogeneous composite nanofibers while electrospinning natural and synthetic polymer blends.

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun PCL/Antheraea pernyisilk fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds

“…The fiber mats consisted of large‐diameter fibers and small‐diameter fibers, showing a wider size distribution (average diameter 198 ± 98 nm). Increasing evidences suggest that phase separation could be observed in blend nanofibers when the content of one of the constituents was more than 30% . The polarization of fiber diameter implied inhomogeneous distribution of two components in 50PCL/50ASF nanofibers because of microphase segregation .…”

“…When the content of ASF was further increased to 50%, the possible segregation of PCL and fibroin would result in fiber diameter polarization and inhomogeneous distribution of two components in hybrid nanofibers. The inhomogeneity would further impair the mechanical strength of nanofibers . Consequently, the breaking strength and elongation of nanofiber mats dramatically decreased when ASF content was changed from 30 wt% to 50 wt% (Fig.…”

Accelerated skin wound healing using electrospun nanofibrous mats blended with mussel adhesive protein and polycaprolactone

“…Keratinocytes, which can be formed by the differentiation of epidermal stem cells residing in the basal layer of the epidermis, play an important role in wound healing via migrating to fill wound gaps, contributing hair follicle formation, and protecting wounds from external environments . Additionally, as an in vitro model, investigating keratinocyte behavior has been exploited to identify the feasibility of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds as wound‐healing materials . Biodegradable synthetic polymers such as PCL, poly(hydroyxybutyrate) (PHB), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) have been used as backbone polymeric materials for culturing keratinocytes.…”

“…However, it seems to be necessary to apply additional bioactive molecules for the acceleration of keratinocyte adhesion and growth. The additions of epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as natural biopolymers, including gelatin, hyaluronan, and chitosan, have been assessed as appropriate components to incorporate into those synthetic polymers …”

Future Prospects for Scaffolding Methods and Biomaterials in Skin Tissue Engineering: A Review

“…Amongst the several scaffolds described in the dermal tissue regeneration, highly porous nanofibrous scaffolds have received much attention due to their (1) fibrillar structural resemblance to ECM; (2) efficiency for facilitation of nutrients exchange and removal of metabolic waste; and (3) ability to restrain the penetration of microorganisms due to small pore size [94,95]. There are plenty of natural polymers being used for nanofibrous scaffold fabrication with applications as skin substitutes and wound dressings [2,8].…”