Mechanically Robust Electrospun Hydrogel Scaffolds Crosslinked via Supramolecular Interactions

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Creating mechanically robust hydrogel scaffolds from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) without postprocessing chemical crosslinking is challenging.
• Physical crosslinking strategies are needed to enhance hydrogel scaffold properties for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop mechanically stable, electrospun hydrogel scaffolds using physically crosslinked polymers.
• To introduce bioactivity into these scaffolds by incorporating gelatin.
• To investigate the influence of fiber diameter on cell culture applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of chain-extended ureido-pyrimidinone poly(ethylene glycol) (CE-UPy-PEG) polymers.
• Electrospinning of CE-UPy-PEG from organic solvent to form fibrous meshes.
• Swelling of meshes in water to form hydrogels.
• Incorporation of gelatin into the polymer matrix.
• Tuning electrospinning parameters to control fiber diameter.

Main Results:

• CE-UPy-PEG polymers formed mechanically stable, elastic hydrogel meshes with intact fibrous morphology upon swelling.
• Incorporating up to 30 wt% gelatin enhanced scaffold bioactivity without compromising mechanical properties.
• Electrospinning parameters were manipulated to achieve distinct fiber diameters (0.63 ± 0.36 µm and 2.14 ± 0.63 µm).
• Scaffolds supported renal epithelial monolayer formation and cardiac progenitor cell culture.

Conclusions:

• Physically crosslinked CE-UPy-PEG polymers offer a viable route to robust, electrospun hydrogel scaffolds.
• The developed scaffolds demonstrate tunable properties for specific tissue engineering applications, supporting distinct cell types.
• This approach avoids postprocessing chemical crosslinking, simplifying scaffold fabrication.