Influence of porosity and pore shape on structural, mechanical and biological properties of poly ϵ-caprolactone electro-spun fibrous scaffolds.
BACKGROUND
Electro-spun scaffolds are utilized in a diverse spectrum of clinical targets, with an ever-increasing quantity of work progressing to clinical studies and commercialization. The limited number of conformations in which the scaffolds can be fabricated hampers their wide acceptance in clinical practice.


METHODS
Herein, we assessed a single-strep fabrication process for predesigned electro-spun scaffold preparation and the ramifications of the introduction of porosity (0, 30, 50, 70%) and pore shape (circle, rhomboid, square) on structural, mechanical (tensile and ball burst) and biological (dermal fibroblast and THP-1) properties.


RESULTS
The collector design did not affect the fibrous nature of the scaffold. Modulation of the porosity and pore shape offered control over the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Neither the porosity nor the pore shape affected cellular (dermal fibroblast and THP-1) response.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, herein we provide evidence that electro-spun scaffolds of controlled architecture can be fabricated with fibrous fidelity, adequate mechanical properties and acceptable cytocompatibility for a diverse range of clinical targets.
Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Kieran P
KP
Fuller
Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Diana
D
Gaspar
Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Luis M
LM
Delgado
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Abhay
A
Pandit
Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Dimitrios I
DI
Zeugolis
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002208:Caproates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; C121056:caprolactone
controlled architecture scaffolds; cytocompatibility; electro-spinning; mechanical properties; scaffold design