Stem Cell-Laden Coaxially Electrospun Fibrous Scaffold for Regenerative Engineering Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Stem cell therapies show promise but suffer from poor transplanted cell retention at injury sites.
• Tissue-engineered grafts mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) can improve stem cell engraftment and promote regeneration.
• Electrospinning offers a versatile method for creating nanofibrous scaffolds for regenerative applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a protocol for developing core-shell electrospun scaffolds for stem cell delivery.
• To enhance stem cell retention and proliferation in damaged tissues using engineered grafts.
• To provide a method for creating functionalized scaffolds for regenerative engineering.

Main Methods:

• Uniaxial and coaxial electrospinning techniques were employed to fabricate polycaprolactone (PCL) core scaffolds.
• A gelatin/gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) sheath was developed for enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation.
• Scaffold characterization and stem cell seeding protocols were established, including MTS assays and SEM preparation.

Main Results:

• Coaxial electrospinning successfully produced mechanically stable core-sheath scaffolds.
• The GelMA sheath promoted enhanced stem cell adhesion and proliferation compared to bare scaffolds.
• The developed scaffolds show potential for improving stem cell retention and therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Core-shell electrospun scaffolds offer a promising strategy for improving stem cell-based therapies.
• This protocol provides a reproducible method for creating functionalized scaffolds for regenerative engineering.
• The combination of PCL and GelMA holds potential for enhancing tissue repair and regeneration.