Design of functionalized biodegradable PHA-based electrospun scaffolds meant for tissue engineering applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) based mats are promising for tissue engineering.
• Developing biomimetic scaffolds requires effective surface modification strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create functionalized poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA)-based scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
• To evaluate the impact of physical and chemical modifications on scaffold properties and cellular response.

Main Methods:

• Combined electrospinning and electrospraying for scaffold fabrication.
• Chemically modified PHA fibers by grafting glycidyl methacrylate and conjugating Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides.
• Incorporated hydroxyapatite and gelatin to enhance scaffold properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly porous (up to 83%) and uniform nanofibrous scaffolds.
• Demonstrated successful grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (20%) and RGD peptide conjugation.
• Enhanced scaffold hydrophilicity (water contact angle ~0°) and improved human mesenchymal stromal cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusions:

• The developed functionalized PHA scaffolds exhibit superior biological properties for tissue engineering.
• The combination of physical and chemical modifications offers a versatile approach for creating advanced biomimetic materials.
• These scaffolds show significant potential for promoting cell growth and differentiation in regenerative medicine.