Oxygen-plasma-modified biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds for enhanced compatibility of cardiovascular implants

Abstract

SummaryElectrospun nanofibrous scaffolds have been extensively used in several biomedical applications for tissue engineering due to their morphological resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Especially, there is a need for the cardiovascular implants to exhibit a nanostructured surface that mimics the native endothelium in order to promote endothelialization and to reduce the complications of thrombosis and implant failure. Thus, we herein fabricated poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds, to serve as coatings for cardiovascular implants and guide tissue regeneration. Oxygen plasma treatment was applied in order to modify the surface chemistry of the scaffold and its effect on cell attachment and growth was evaluated. The conditions of the surface modification were properly adjusted in order to define those conditions of the treatment that result in surfaces favorable for cell growth, while maintaining morphological integrity and mechanical behavior. Goniometry (contact angle measurements), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to evaluate the morphological and chemical changes induced by the plasma treatment. Moreover, depth-sensing nanoindentation was performed to study the resistance of the plasma-treated scaffolds to plastic deformation. Lastly, the cell studies indicated that all scaffolds were cytocompatible, with the plasma-treated ones expressing a more pronounced cell viability and adhesion. All the above findings demonstrate the great potential of these biomimetic tissue-engineering constructs as efficient coatings for enhanced compatibility of cardiovascular implants.

Surface functionalization of poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) with VEGF

“…The CO 2 or O 2 plasma-chemical treatments are promising methods for the increase of hydrophilicity of the used polymer surfaces. Same results are also reported by Pappa et al [13] and Syromotina et al [3]. Furthermore, these results correlate with our earlier study of the ammonia plasma-chemical activation [2].…”

“…Nevertheless, no cytotoxic effects before and after plasma-chemical modification were apparent according to DIN EN ISO 10993-5:2009-10 (cell viability higher than 70%), as previously described in the literature [3], [4], [13].…”

Atomic Force Microscopy: A Powerful Tool to Address Scaffold Design in Tissue Engineering

“…In this case, the use of a clamped-end model—based on the assumption of displacements and bending of a fibre restricted at nodes—have accurately confirmed measured experimental data of stiffness variations. Accordingly, Chlanda et al [62] have proposed a comparative mechanical study among four different polymer based electrospun fibres by Peak Force Quantitative Nano Mechanics (PFQNM) atomic force microscopy, with standard and modified scanning probes. PFQNM is a recently developed imaging technique, based on nanoscale probing able to measure mechanical properties of constituent materials—including Young’s modulus, adhesion, loss modulus—with highest spatial resolution, by tracing force-distance curves after DMT (Derjagin, Muller, Toropov) [48].…”

“…PFQNM is a recently developed imaging technique, based on nanoscale probing able to measure mechanical properties of constituent materials—including Young’s modulus, adhesion, loss modulus—with highest spatial resolution, by tracing force-distance curves after DMT (Derjagin, Muller, Toropov) [48]. Results clearly indicate that modified probes produce high quality images respect to standard tips, providing more detailed data on nano-mechanical response in comparison with traditional approaches [62]. …”

Osteoconduction of Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells on an Electrospun Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Scaffold Coated with Nanohydroxyapatite

“…Oxygen plasma treatment could modify the surface of polymers without changing their mechanical and physical properties [Pappa et al, 2015]. The purpose of this study was to use USSCs, due to their higher accessibility compared to BMSCs, on a plasma-treated electrospun PLGA scaffold coated with nano-HA (nHA) for bone tissue engineering.…”