A New Method for Fibrin-Based Electrospun/Sprayed Scaffold Fabrication.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Fibrin, a natural extracellular matrix component, offers excellent biocompatibility for tissue engineering.
• However, native fibrin gels exhibit poor mechanical strength, limiting their application.
• Existing fibrin fabrication methods often involve complex steps like washing or chemical cross-linking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a robust bilayered scaffold combining fibrin and polyurethane.
• To develop a fabrication method that avoids harsh treatments for fibrin.
• To enhance the mechanical properties and applicability of fibrin-based scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microporous poly(ether)urethane support layer using spray, phase-inversion.
• Electrospinning of fibrinogen to create a nanofibrous fibrin layer.
• Controlled fibrin polymerization via thrombin spraying onto the electrospun layer.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for structural analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful production of a bilayered fibrin/polyurethane scaffold.
• Formation of a nanostructured fibrin layer with filamentous morphology (micrometer diameter).
• The fibrin layer was effectively attached to the polyurethane support.

Conclusions:

• The developed scaffold integrates the benefits of polyurethane's mechanical support with fibrin's biocompatibility.
• This novel fabrication technique offers a simpler approach to creating advanced fibrin-based biomaterials.
• The scaffold shows potential for soft tissue regeneration applications, including wound healing and drug delivery systems.