Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds of Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Reinforced with Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoclay for Nerve Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Nerve tissue engineering (NTE) is an effective approach for repairing damaged nerve tissue. In this regard, nanoparticle-incorporated electrospun scaffolds have aroused a great deal of interest in NTE applications. In this study, layered double hydroxide (LDH)-incorporated polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin (Gel) nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of the scaffolds were examined. Also, the phase identification, morphology, and elemental composition were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The results revealed that the inclusion of LDH nanoparticles into the PCL/Gel scaffold has improved its mechanical strength and elongation at the break, while the degradation rate was enhanced in comparison with the pure PCL/Gel mat. The LDH-enriched electrospun PCL/Gel scaffolds exhibited a considerable impact on cell attachment and proliferation. The gene expression results showed that the neuron-specific (γγ) enolase (NSE) gene expression was significantly decreased in the scaffolds containing 1 and 10 wt % LDH compared to the scaffold without LDH, whereas in the scaffold with 0.1 wt % LDH, a slight increase in expression was observed. It can be deduced that electrospun PCL/Gel scaffolds containing LDH with optimum concentration can be a promising candidate for nerve tissue engineering applications.

Layered Double Hydroxides: Recent Progress and Promising Perspectives Toward Biomedical Applications

“…[224] Additionally, a recent study has demonstrated the potential of LDHs in nerve tissue engineering through the use of electrospinning technology to fabricate PCL/gel/LDH nanofiber scaffolds. [225] Recent developments in materials science have led to the creation of novel bone repair materials that exhibit unprecedented osteogenic differentiation performance. Among these materials are magnesium-based LDH nanosheets, which have been shown to promote osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo.…”

Frontier Electrospun Fibers for Nanomedical Applications

“…Having this in mind, the scaffolds showed biocompatibility with cultured SCs and supported sensory neurite outgrowth [104]. When layered double hydroxides (LDH) nanoclay particles were incorporated into electrospun PCL/gelatin, increased viability, and proliferation of the cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were observed at higher LDHs, but there was no increased differentiation [105]. Photocrosslinked gelatin methacryloyl was used for the fabrication of an aligned hydrogel electrospun microfiber bundle to be used in the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI).…”

Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Diabetic Wound Healing

“…Polycaprolactone is less hydrophilic than poly-lactide acid and, as such, shows less cell adhesion, thus it is often crosslinked with other polymers or bioactive agents. Polycaprolactone has been used in combination with natural polymers, such as collagen or synthetic materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, to form a nanofibrous scaffold loaded with a bioactive agent for skin regeneration purposes and promotion of diabetic wound healing [ 30 , 48 , 51 , 69 , 70 ].…”

“…It produces optimally porous and flexible scaffolds with excellent moisture-absorbing characteristics, enhanced oxygen exchange qualities, and a level of antibacterial effect [ 72 ]. It can be applied in numerous fields, but it has gained popularity in the medical field specifically due to its benefits in the formulation of nanofibrous scaffolds used in skin regeneration, wound healing, and drug delivery systems [ 69 , 76 ].…”