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Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization
Published on: April 19, 2015
Electrically conductive nanofibers with highly oriented structures and their potential application in skeletal muscle
Mei-Chin Chen1, Yu-Chin Sun, Yuan-Hsiang Chen
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. kokola@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Acta Biomaterialia
|October 27, 2012
Summary
This study developed aligned, electrically conductive nanofibers from polyaniline (PANi) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. These scaffolds effectively guided myoblast orientation and enhanced myotube maturation, showing promise for muscle regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Scaffold design is crucial for guiding cell behavior in tissue engineering.
- There is a need for materials providing both topographical and electrical cues for skeletal muscle regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop aligned, electrically conductive nanofibers for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of topographical and electrical cues on myoblast differentiation and maturation.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of polyaniline (PANi) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers using a magnetic field.
- Incorporation of PANi into PCL to enhance electrical conductivity.
- Culture of mouse C2C12 myoblasts on random and aligned, conductive and non-conductive scaffolds.
Main Results:
- Aligned PCL/PANi nanofibers exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity (63.6±6.6mS cm⁻¹).
- Aligned scaffolds significantly improved myoblast orientation and myotube formation compared to random scaffolds.
- Electrically conductive aligned scaffolds further enhanced myotube maturation, fusion, and overall development.
Conclusions:
- Combined topographical and electrical cues from aligned PCL/PANi nanofibers are more effective than individual cues for skeletal muscle regeneration.
- These functional scaffolds show significant potential for skeletal muscle tissue engineering applications.
