Spray-spinning: a novel method for making alginate/chitosan fibrous scaffold

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Alginate and chitosan are biocompatible polymers with potential in biomedical applications.
• Developing advanced fibrous scaffolds is crucial for regenerative medicine.
• Existing methods for producing polyelectrolyte complex fibers have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel spray-spinning method for producing alginate/chitosan polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) fibers.
• To characterize the physical properties and biocompatibility of the fabricated PEC fibers.
• To evaluate the potential of these fibers as scaffolds in regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

• A novel spray-spinning technique was employed, involving spraying chitosan solution into sodium alginate solution.
• The resulting streamlines were sheared and transformed into alginate/chitosan PEC fibers.
• Fiber diameter was controlled by adjusting chitosan concentration.
• Water absorbability, structural integrity in cell culture medium (MEM), in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo tissue infiltration were assessed.

Main Results:

• The spray-spinning method successfully produced alginate/chitosan PEC fibers.
• Fiber diameter increased with higher chitosan concentrations.
• The fibers exhibited high water absorbability (approx. 45-fold) and maintained integrity in MEM for 30 days.
• In vitro studies showed support for HepG2 cell growth without cytotoxicity.
• In vivo experiments demonstrated connective tissue cell infiltration into the fibrous scaffolds within 3 weeks.

Conclusions:

• The novel spray-spinning method is effective for fabricating alginate/chitosan PEC fibers.
• These fibers possess favorable properties, including high water absorbability and excellent biocompatibility.
• The alginate/chitosan PEC fibers show significant potential for applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.