Biodegradable and Bioactive PCL-PGS Core-Shell Fibers for Tissue Engineering.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a promising biomaterial known for its elasticity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.
• Electrospun fibrous mats offer unique properties for tissue engineering applications.
• Developing advanced biomaterials with tunable mechanical and degradation profiles is crucial for regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize microfibrous core-shell mats composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS).
• To investigate the effect of core-shell structure and heparin immobilization on the material's chemical, mechanical, and biological properties.
• To evaluate the potential of these PCL-PGS core-shell fibers for tissue-engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Wet-wet coaxial electrospinning was employed to create PCL-PGS core-shell microfibers.
• Heparin was immobilized onto the surface of the electrospun mats.
• Comprehensive characterization included chemical, mechanical (Young's modulus, ultimate tensile stress, elongation), and biological assessments (cell attachment and proliferation).

Main Results:

• The PCL-PGS core-shell structure allowed for tunable degradation and mechanical properties, with Young's modulus ranging from 5.6 to 15.7 MPa.
• Fibers exhibited significant elasticity, with ultimate tensile stress from 2.0 to 2.9 MPa and elongation from 290% to 900%.
• Heparin grafting and PGS incorporation enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell attachment and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• Core-shell PCL-PGS fibers offer a versatile platform with adjustable mechanical and degradation characteristics.
• Heparin functionalization further improves the biocompatibility and cell-interactive properties of the fibrous mats.
• These advanced PCL-PGS core-shell fibrous mats show significant potential for various tissue-engineering applications.