Fabrication of alignment polycaprolactone scaffolds by combining use of electrospinning and micromolding for regulating Schwann cells behavior

Abstract

In the present study, a new approach for fabricating micropatterned polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with ridge/groove structure on the surface was developed by combining use of electrospinning and micromolding method. A series of physicochemical properties, including morphology, wettability, component, crystal pattern and mechanical properties, of prepared PCL scaffolds were characterization, respectively. Stability of the micropatterned PCL scaffolds was measured using phosphate buffer solution immersion for a certain period. Then, the regulating effects of the micropatterned PCL scaffolds on attachment, orientation and normal biological function of Schwann cells were evaluated. And the protein adsorption behavior in various PCL scaffolds was also detected. The results showed that the micropatterned PCL scaffolds demonstrated a porous micro/nano complex structure with enhanced hydrophobicity and mechanical properties as a function of electrospun flow-rate of PCL solution. The micropatterned PCL scaffolds possessed good stability and could effectively regulate the attachment and orientation of Schwann cells at the early stage after cell culture. Importantly, the electrospun flow-rate of PCL solution was found to play an important role in scaffold properties, cell behavior and protein adsorption. The micropatterned scaffolds with a flow-rate of PCL solution at 0.12 mL h demonstrated the better regulation on Schwann cells attachment and alignment without negatively affect the normal biological function of the cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of combining use of electrospinning and micromolding method for preparing artificial nerve implants. The study is anticipated to have potential application in peripheral nerve and other tissue engineering. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 3123-3134, 2018.

From Shape to Function: The Next Step in Bioprinting

“…Geometrical cues from scaffolding materials, including surface and 3D topography, shape, size and tortuosity of porous elements, are known to provoke a wide array of responses in cells both in vitro and in vivo, and such reactions greatly differ based on the dimensional scale of these cues. For example, cells can preferentially home or align along topographical features at the micrometer and submicrometer scales, such as nanofibrous elements [ 190 ] or periodic grooves and channels, [ 191 ] a phenomenon described as contact guidance. [ 192 ] At a larger scale, micrometer to submillimeter features play a pivotal role in cell survival and tissue regeneration.…”

The Influence of the Surface Topographical Cues of Biomaterials on Nerve Cells in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Review

“…The micropatterned scaffold with a flow rate of 0.12 mL/h -1 had a good regulation effect on the adhesion and arrangement of Schwann cells, without negatively affecting the normal biological functions of the cells. This research could provide important design concepts for artificial nerve implants, and provide an experimental and theoretical foundation for the development of implants in tissue engineering [51]. Although polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical properties and plasticity, PCL's biological properties and functions are low, and the degradation rate in the body is slow.…”

Engraving the Surface of Electrospun Microfibers with Nanoscale Grooves Promotes the Outgrowth of Neurites and the Migration of Schwann Cells

“…Electrospun fibers with grooves on the surface have been developed to control the behaviors of glial cells and/or the outgrowth of neurites. [19][20][21] Owing to the versatility of electrospinning technology,o ne can simply vary the composition, alignment, diameter,and secondary features by tuning the electrospinning parameters.T he methods commonly employed for generating grooves on electrospun fibers involved the use of as pecific mixture of solvents, [22][23][24] laser ablation, [25] stamping, [2] or as pecially designed mold as the collector. [19] These methods either need al ot of trials to determine the appropriate types and ratios of the solvents or fail to push the grooves down to the nanoscale.T here is still ap ressing need to develop as imple method capable of generating nanoscale grooves with the proper dimensions to maximize the alignment and extension of neurites.I tw ill be even more significant if the dimensions of the grooves (i.e., the width of the grooves and the separation between them) can be tightly controlled during the fabrication process.…”

“…Electrospun fibers with grooves on the surface have been developed to control the behaviors of glial cells and/or the outgrowth of neurites . Owing to the versatility of electrospinning technology, one can simply vary the composition, alignment, diameter, and secondary features by tuning the electrospinning parameters.…”

“…Owing to the versatility of electrospinning technology, one can simply vary the composition, alignment, diameter, and secondary features by tuning the electrospinning parameters. The methods commonly employed for generating grooves on electrospun fibers involved the use of a specific mixture of solvents, laser ablation, stamping, or a specially designed mold as the collector . These methods either need a lot of trials to determine the appropriate types and ratios of the solvents or fail to push the grooves down to the nanoscale.…”