title: Improved cell infiltration of highly porous nanofibrous scaffolds formed by combined fiber-fiber charge repulsions and ultra-sonication.
abstract: A significant problem affecting electrospun nanofibrous tissue scaffolds is poor infiltration of cells into their three-dimensional (3D) structure. Environmental and physical manipulation, however, can enhance cellular infiltration into electrospun scaffolds. In this work, RGD-modified alginate mats with increased thickness and porosity were achieved by pairing high humidity electrospinning with post-processing ultra-sonication. RGD-modified alginate, polyethylene oxide (PEO), and an FDA-approved, nonionic surfactant blends were electrospun in 20 and 50% relative humidity conditions. Mats electrospun in high humidity conditions resulted in significantly increased mat thickness and decreased fiber diameters. The mats' alginate content was then isolatedviaionic crosslinking and PEO/surfactant extraction. Finally, the alginate-only mat was post-processed by ultra-sonication to further enhance its cross-sectional thickness. Cell morphology, proliferation, and infiltration into the scaffolds were evaluated by seeding fibroblasts onto the alginate mat. Cell spreading, growth and infiltration improved with increased humidity and ultra-sonication. This approach shows great promise for the design of cell-permeable nanofibrous scaffolds for tissue-engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Sung Isn
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bonino
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Biomedical Engineering, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Il Keun
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Saad A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Eben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alsberg