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Published on: August 19, 2015
Fibronectin adsorption on functionalized electrospun polycaprolactone scaffolds: experimental and molecular dynamics
Shawn Regis1, Sina Youssefian, Manisha Jassal
1Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, 02747.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|June 19, 2013
Summary
Functionalizing polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with amination increased fibronectin adsorption, while hydrolysis decreased it. This protein adsorption modulation impacts cell attachment in tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Protein adsorption onto scaffolds is crucial for cell attachment and survival in tissue regeneration.
- Controlling protein adsorption is key to designing advanced tissue engineering scaffolds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of scaffold functionalization on fibronectin adsorption.
- To correlate experimental findings with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for a deeper understanding of protein adsorption mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were functionalized via hydrolysis (NaOH) or amination (hexamethylenediamine).
- Fibronectin adsorption was quantified using fluorescently labeled fibronectin.
- Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to analyze interaction energies and protein conformations.
Main Results:
- Aminated PCL scaffolds showed significantly higher fibronectin adsorption compared to controls.
- Hydrolyzed PCL scaffolds exhibited reduced fibronectin adsorption.
- MD simulations confirmed increased adhesion energy for functionalized scaffolds and revealed distinct fibronectin conformations, with enhanced accessibility of cell-binding motifs on aminated scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- Scaffold functionalization critically influences both the quantity and manner of fibronectin adsorption.
- These changes in protein adsorption can impact subsequent cell attachment and behavior, offering a pathway for optimizing tissue regeneration scaffolds.
