A simple route to functionalising electrospun polymer scaffolds with surface biomolecules

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Surface functionalization of electrospun scaffolds is crucial for regenerative medicine.
• Bioconjugation methods must preserve biomolecule activity.
• Perfluorophenyl azide N-hydroxysuccinimide (PFPA-NHS) enables UV-initiated covalent coupling to polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of PFPA-NHS functionalization of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds.
• To assess the retention of biomolecule activity after conjugation.
• To investigate potential applications in oncological photodynamic therapy.

Main Methods:

• Photografting of PFPA-NHS onto electrospun PCL scaffolds.
• Protein conjugation using fluorescence staining and attachment studies.
• Cell viability assays (Caco-2) to optimize washing methods (sonication).
• Enzyme activity and stability assays for surface-attached catalase.

Main Results:

• PFPA-NHS photografting successfully functionalized PCL scaffolds, retaining amine coupling capability.
• Sonication washing is essential to prevent cell death caused by unreacted PFPA.
• Surface-attached catalase retained enzymatic activity and showed sustained binding (~60% after 6 days).

Conclusions:

• PFPA-NHS functionalization is a viable method for immobilizing active biomolecules onto PCL scaffolds.
• This technique offers potential for developing advanced protein-based therapies with prolonged presentation and sustained release.
• The method holds promise for applications in regenerative medicine and oncological photodynamic therapy.