PLA-Based Hybrid and Composite Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds as Potential Materials for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The aim of the study was to manufacture poly(lactic acid)-(PLA-) based nanofibrous nonwovens that were modified using two types of modifiers, namely, gelatin-(GEL-) based nanofibres and carbon nanotubes (CNT). Hybrid nonwovens consisting of PLA and GEL nanofibres (PLA/GEL), as well as CNT-modified PLA nanofibres with GEL nanofibres (PLA + CNT/GEL), in the form of mats, were manufactured using concurrent-electrospinning technique (co-ES). The ability of such hybrid structures as potential scaffolds for tissue engineering was studied. Both types of hybrid samples and one-component PLA and CNTs-modified PLA mats were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle measurements, and biological and mechanical tests. The morphology, microstructure, and selected properties of the materials were analyzed. Biocompatibility and bioactivity in contact with normal human osteoblasts (NHOst) were studied. The coelectrospun PLA and GEL nanofibres retained their structures in hybrid samples. Both types of hybrid nonwovens were not cytotoxic and showed better osteoinductivity in comparison to scaffolds made from pure PLA. These samples also showed significantly reduced hydrophobicity compared to one-component PLA nonwovens. The CNT-contained PLA nanofibres improved mechanical properties of hybrid samples and such a 3D system appears to be interesting for potential application as a tissue engineering scaffold.

Application of Carbon Nanoparticles in Oncology and Regenerative Medicine

“…Due to its mechanical properties, tensile strength and fibrous structure, carbon nanotubes (NTs) have been used in tissue engineering to improve mechanical properties of polymers [ 58 , 59 ]. Magiera et al [ 60 ] investigated the combination of NTc with polylactic acid (PLA). This complex shows a much better biocompatibility than PLA/gelatin nanofibers.…”

Advances in Biodegradable 3D Printed Scaffolds with Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Bone Regeneration

“…Several studies have demonstrated that MWCNTs can promote stem cell differentiation towards bone cells and enhance bone formation. Furthermore, they act as a mode of reinforcement for mechanical strengthening and biocompatibility [ 56 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 ], improving the performance of different biomaterials. The case of SWCNTs is very similar, and it has been proved that SWCNTs can be incorporated into some biodegradable polymers that present problems due to their poor mechanical properties to successfully reinforce them [ 86 ], without adversely affecting the biocompatibility of the matrix [ 87 ].…”

Polylactide/Hydroxyapatite Nonwovens Incorporated into Chitosan/Graphene Materials Hydrogels to Form Novel Hierarchical Scaffolds

“…The process is relatively cheap, and the diameter and direction of fiber arrangement can be controlled by parameters such as concentration of a polymer solution, voltage, or collector rotation speed. For bone tissue engineering applications, poly(L-lactide) (PLA) [23,24], poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) [25,26] and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) [27] are most commonly used. However, even when cell tests confirm the biocompatibility of nonwovens, their applicability is limited by their form.…”