title: Co-electrospun gelatin-poly(L-lactic acid) scaffolds: modulation of mechanical properties and chondrocyte response as a function of composition.
abstract: Bio-synthetic scaffolds of interspersed poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and gelatin (GEL) fibers are fabricated by co-electrospinning. Tailored PLLA/GEL compositions are obtained and GEL crosslinking with genipin provides for the maintenance of good fiber morphology. Scaffold tensile mechanical properties are intermediate between those of pure PLLA and GEL and vary as a function of PLLA content. Primary human chondrocytes grown on the scaffolds exhibit good proliferation and increased values of the differentiation parameters, especially for intermediate PLLA/GEL compositions. Mineralization tests enable the deposition of a uniform layer of poorly crystalline apatite onto the scaffolds, suggesting potential applications involving cartilage as well as cartilage-bone interface tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Preclinical and Surgical Studies Laboratory, Codivilla Putti Research Institute, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, via di Barbiano, 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; Laboratory of Biocompatibility, Innovative Technologies and Advanced Therapies-Department Rizzoli Research, Innovation, Technology, via di Barbiano, 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torricelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gioffrè
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorani
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panzavolta
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy; Advanced Mechanics and Materials-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (AMM ICIR), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gualandi
authors.affiliation: Preclinical and Surgical Studies Laboratory, Codivilla Putti Research Institute, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, via di Barbiano, 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; Laboratory of Biocompatibility, Innovative Technologies and Advanced Therapies-Department Rizzoli Research, Innovation, Technology, via di Barbiano, 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fini
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), Italy. Electronic address: marialetizia.focarete@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Focarete
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" and National Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM, Bologna RU), University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bigi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D005780:Gelatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D005780:Gelatin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
keywords: Chondrocytes; Electrospun scaffolds; Gelatin; Mineralization; Poly(lactic acid)