title: Coaxial electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and polyacrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol scaffold for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
abstract: Skeletal muscle repair after injury usually results in scar tissue and decreased functionality. In this study, we coaxially electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone), multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and a hydrogel consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid (PCL-MWCNT-H) to create a self-contained nanoactuating scaffold for skeletal muscle tissue replacement. This was then compared to electrospun PCL and PCL-MWCNT scaffolds. All scaffolds displayed some conductivity; however, MWCNT incorporation increased the conductivity. Only the PCL-MWCNT-H actuated when stimulated with 15 and 20 V. The PCL, PCL-MWCNT, and hydrogel only scaffolds demonstrated no reaction when 5, 8, 10, 15, and 20 V were applied. Thus, all components of the PCL-MWCNT-H scaffold are essential for movement. All three PCL-containing scaffolds were biocompatible, but the PCL-MWCNT-H scaffolds displayed more multinucleated cells with actin interaction. After tensile testing, the MWCNT-containing scaffolds had higher strength than the rat and pig skeletal muscle. Although the mechanical properties were higher than muscle, the PCL-MWCNT-H scaffold shows promise as a potential bioartificial nanoactuator for skeletal muscle.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: McKeon-Fischer
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Flagg
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000187:drug effects; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D034421:Sus scrofa; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; C006903:carbopol 940; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol