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Fabrication and Characterization of Griffithsin-modified Fiber Scaffolds for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Published on: October 31, 2017
Multifunctional polymeric microfibers with prolonged drug delivery and structural support capabilities.
Danya M Lavin1, Robert M Stefani, Linda Zhang
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|February 14, 2012
Summary
Drug-eluting microfibers made from poly(L-lactic acid) demonstrate enhanced strength and stability. This improvement is achieved through drug loading and processing, leading to increased crystallinity and mechanical integrity for implantable biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Surgically implantable constructs require hybrid fiber systems that provide mechanical support and drug delivery.
- The strength and stability of these fibers are critical for successful device design and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize drug-eluting microfibers with enhanced mechanical properties.
- To investigate the role of drug loading and processing conditions on microfiber strength, stability, and drug release kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of poly(L-lactic acid) microfibers using wet spinning and phase inversion.
- Encapsulation of dexamethasone, a model hydrophobic drug, at varying concentrations.
- Assessment of microfiber crystallinity, tensile strength, and in vitro drug release profiles.
Main Results:
- Wet spinning and drug loading increased microfiber crystallinity (13-17%) compared to unprocessed polymer.
- High drug loading resulted in microfibers retaining 97% of initial tensile strength, showing statistically significant improvements.
- Drug-eluting microfibers maintained linear cumulative release kinetics for up to 8 weeks in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Encapsulating small hydrophobic molecules can enhance the mechanical integrity of microfilaments.
- Solvent-induced crystallization during processing contributes to increased microfiber strength and stability.
- Multifunctional drug-eluting microfibers offer a promising platform for developing novel biomaterials with controlled therapeutic delivery and mechanical robustness.
