Electrospun tubular scaffolds: on the effectiveness of blending poly(ε-caprolactone) with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate).
Tissue engineering can effectively contribute to the development of novel vascular prostheses aimed to overcome the well-known drawbacks of small-diameter grafts. To date, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a bioresorbable synthetic poly(α-hydroxyester), is considered one of the most promising materials for vascular tissue engineering. In this work, the potential advantage of intimate blending soft PCL and hard poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a polymer of microbial origin, has been evaluated. Nonwoven mats and small-diameter tubular scaffolds of PCL, PHBV, and PCL/PHBV were fabricated by means of electrospinning technique. Mechanical properties and suture retention strength were investigated according to the international standard for cardiovascular implants. Biological tests demonstrated that both PCL-based scaffolds supported survival and growth of rat cerebral endothelial cells in a short time. The fiber alignment of the electrospun tubular scaffolds contributed to a more rapid and homogeneous cell colonization of the luminal surface.
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, INSTM Research Unit Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. costantino.delgaudio@uniroma2.it
Costantino
C
Del Gaudio
Lara
L
Fioravanzo
Marcella
M
Folin
Fabiana
F
Marchi
Enrico
E
Ercolani
Alessandra
A
Bianco
D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D011091:Polyesters; C052620:poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate); D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C016240:polycaprolactone