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Core/shell Printing Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering Of Tubular Structures
Published on: September 27, 2019
Fibrous biodegradable l-alanine-based scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering
Deepta Srinath1, Shigang Lin, Darryl K Knight
1Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
|August 18, 2012
Summary
Novel biodegradable poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) derived from l-alanine were electrospun into fibrous scaffolds. These PEA scaffolds demonstrated excellent cell viability and elastin expression, making them promising for vascular tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable scaffolds are crucial in vascular tissue engineering for guiding cell behavior.
- Poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) offer potential as novel scaffold materials due to their tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize fibrous biodegradable scaffolds from l-alanine-derived PEAs.
- To evaluate the degradation profiles and suitability of these PEA scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of l-alanine-derived PEAs with polycaprolactone (PCL) to create fibrous mats (~0.4 µm diameter).
- Analysis of scaffold morphology, fiber diameter, and porosity.
- Assessment of degradation kinetics over 28 days.
- In vitro cell culture studies using human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs).
Main Results:
- Electrospun PEA/PCL fiber mats with controllable fiber diameter and porosity were successfully fabricated.
- PEA scaffolds exhibited linear mass loss kinetics over 28 days, indicating surface erosion.
- Significantly higher HCASMC viability and elastin expression were observed on PEA scaffolds compared to PCL controls.
Conclusions:
- Novel biodegradable PEA fibrous scaffolds derived from l-alanine show excellent biocompatibility and promote elastin production.
- These PEA scaffolds are promising candidates for advanced vascular tissue engineering applications.

