title: Oxygen-plasma-modified biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds for enhanced compatibility of cardiovascular implants.
abstract: Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds have been extensively used in several biomedical applications for tissue engineering due to their morphological resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Especially, there is a need for the cardiovascular implants to exhibit a nanostructured surface that mimics the native endothelium in order to promote endothelialization and to reduce the complications of thrombosis and implant failure. Thus, we herein fabricated poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds, to serve as coatings for cardiovascular implants and guide tissue regeneration. Oxygen plasma treatment was applied in order to modify the surface chemistry of the scaffold and its effect on cell attachment and growth was evaluated. The conditions of the surface modification were properly adjusted in order to define those conditions of the treatment that result in surfaces favorable for cell growth, while maintaining morphological integrity and mechanical behavior. Goniometry (contact angle measurements), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to evaluate the morphological and chemical changes induced by the plasma treatment. Moreover, depth-sensing nanoindentation was performed to study the resistance of the plasma-treated scaffolds to plastic deformation. Lastly, the cell studies indicated that all scaffolds were cytocompatible, with the plasma-treated ones expressing a more pronounced cell viability and adhesion. All the above findings demonstrate the great potential of these biomimetic tissue-engineering constructs as efficient coatings for enhanced compatibility of cardiovascular implants.
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Pappa
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Varvara
authors: V
authors: Karagkiozaki
authors: Fondazione IRCCS Neurologic Institute "Carlo Besta", IFOM-IEO-campus, Italy.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Krol
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Spyros
authors: S
authors: Kassavetis
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Konstantinou
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Pitsalidis
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Lazaros
authors: L
authors: Tzounis
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Nikos
authors: N
authors: Pliatsikas
authors: 1Νanomedicine Group, Department of Physics, Lab for "Thin Films Nanosystems & Nanometrology" Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Stergios
authors: S
authors: Logothetidis
keywords: cardiovascular implants; electrospun nanofibers; plasma treatment; scaffold; tissue engineering