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Using Plant Proteins to Develop Composite Scaffolds for Cell Culture Applications
Linzhi Jing1,2, Jie Sun3, Hang Liu1,2
1National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
International Journal of Bioprinting
|February 15, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed novel composite biomaterial inks using plant proteins and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for electrohydrodynamic printing (EHDP). These inks create advanced scaffolds that enhance cell growth for 3D cell culture and drug screening.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- 3D Cell Culture
Background:
- Electrohydrodynamic printing (EHDP) enables fabrication of micro/nano-scale fiber scaffolds for 3D cell culture and drug screening.
- Limited availability of biomaterial inks with suitable printability, mechanical, and biological properties hinders widespread EHDP application.
- Plant proteins offer potential for developing novel biomaterials but require integration with synthetic polymers for optimal performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize composite biomaterial inks by blending plant proteins with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for EHDP scaffold fabrication.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties and cellular responses of the fabricated composite scaffolds.
- To assess the potential of these composite scaffolds for 3D cell culture models and drug screening applications.
Main Methods:
- Composite inks of PCL blended with plant proteins (gliadin and zein) were formulated.
- Scaffolds were fabricated using electrohydrodynamic printing (EHDP).
- Tensile testing was performed to evaluate mechanical properties (Young's modulus, yield stress).
- Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH/3T3) were cultured on scaffolds to assess cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration.
Main Results:
- Composite inks, specifically PCL/gliadin-10 and PCL/zein-10, significantly improved the tensile properties of EHDP-fabricated scaffolds.
- Scaffolds demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells.
- PCL/gliadin-20 scaffolds showed temporary initial growth inhibition, followed by enhanced cellular activity due to released nanoparticles and nanoporous surface structures.
Conclusions:
- Blending plant proteins with PCL creates composite biomaterial inks suitable for EHDP, yielding scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties.
- These composite scaffolds support and enhance cellular attachment, migration, and proliferation, indicating suitability for 3D in vitro models.
- The developed composite scaffolds show significant potential for advanced drug screening and the development of 3D cell culture models.
