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Electrospun biocomposite nanofibrous scaffolds for neural tissue engineering
Molamma P Prabhakaran1, Jayarama Reddy Venugopal, Tan Ter Chyan
1Division of Bioengineering and National University of Singapore, Singapore. biempp@nus.edu.sg
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|July 29, 2008
Summary
Polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan nanofibrous scaffolds promote peripheral nerve regeneration. These bio-artificial nerve guides enhance Schwann cell proliferation and are promising for nerve tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Peripheral nerve injuries pose significant challenges for regeneration, necessitating effective nerve guidance conduits.
- Bio-artificial materials offer potential solutions for bridging nerve gaps and promoting nerve repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan nanofibrous scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration.
- To assess the in vitro biocompatibility and cellular response of these scaffolds using rat Schwann cells.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PCL, chitosan, and PCL/chitosan nanofibers via electrospinning.
- Characterization of nanofiber surface chemistry (FTIR, XPS) and mechanical properties.
- In vitro cell proliferation and morphology studies using RT4-D6P2T Schwann cells.
Main Results:
- PCL/chitosan nanofibers exhibited smaller diameters (190 nm) and enhanced hydrophilicity compared to PCL nanofibers.
- PCL/chitosan scaffolds demonstrated superior mechanical properties (Young's modulus, strain at break) over chitosan scaffolds.
- Significantly higher Schwann cell proliferation (48% increase) and favorable cell morphology were observed on PCL/chitosan scaffolds after 8 days.
Conclusions:
- Simple blending of PCL and chitosan is an effective method for creating promising nerve guide materials.
- The developed PCL/chitosan nanofibrous scaffolds show excellent potential for peripheral nerve tissue engineering.
- These scaffolds support Schwann cell proliferation and morphology, indicating suitability for nerve regeneration applications.
