title: Axially aligned 3D nanofibrous grafts of PLA-PCL for small diameter cardiovascular applications.
abstract: Axially aligned nanofibrous matrices were evaluated as small diameter cardiovascular grafts. Grafts were prepared using the poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) physical blends in the ratios of 75:25 and 25:75 with the dimension of (40 × 0.2 × 4) millimeter by electrospinning using dynamic collector (1500 RPM). Hydrophobicity and tensile stress were significantly higher in PLA-PCL (75:25), whereas tensile strain and fiber density were significantly higher in PLA-PCL (25:75). Properties such as anastomatic strength porosity, average pore size, degradation with retained fiber orientation, and thromboresistivity were comparable between blends. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) adhesion on the scaffolds was observed within 24 h. Cell viability and proliferation were rationally influenced by the aligned nanofibers. Gene expression reveals the grafts thromboresistivity, elasticity, and aided neovascularization. Thus, these scaffolds could be an ideal candidate for small diameter blood vessel engineering.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, School of Chemical and Biotechnology , SASTRA University , Thanjavur 613401 , India.
authors.forename: Krishna Kumar
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sankaran
authors.forename: Uma Maheswari
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: Swaminathan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethuraman
mesh_terms: D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004548:Elasticity; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D013718:Tensile Strength; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C016240:polycaprolactone; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: aligned nanofibers; cardiovascular graft; electrospinning; polymeric scaffold; tissue engineering