Fabrication of biodegradable elastomeric scaffolds with sub-micron morphologies.
The native extracellular matrix (ECM) of elastic tissues is strong and flexible and supports cell adhesion and enzymatic matrix remodeling. In an attempt to convey these ECM properties to a synthetic scaffold appropriate for soft tissue engineering applications, a biodegradable, elastomeric poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU) was combined with type I collagen at various ratios (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 wt% collagen) and electrospun to construct elastic matrices. Randomly orientated fibers in the electrospun matrices ranged in diameter from 100-900 nm, dependent on initial polymer concentration. Picrosirius red staining of matrices and CD spectroscopy of released collagen confirmed collagen incorporation and preservation of collagen structure at the higher collagen mass fractions. Matrices were strong and distensible possessing strengths of 2-13 MPa with breaking strains of 160-280% even with low PEUU content. Collagen incorporation significantly enhanced smooth muscle cell adhesion onto electrospun scaffolds. An approach has been demonstrated that mimics elastic extracellular matrices by using a synthetic component to provide mechanical function together with a biomacromolecule, collagen. Such matrices may find application in engineering soft tissue.
Department of Chemical Engineering, 100 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA.
John J
JJ
Stankus
Jianjun
J
Guan
William R
WR
Wagner
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D020724:Elastomers; D004563:Electrochemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
D020724:Elastomers; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C036925:elastomeric polymer; C497893:poly(ester urethane)urea; D003094:Collagen