Surface-Modified Polypyrrole-Coated PLCL and PLGA Nerve Guide Conduits Fabricated by 3D Printing and Electrospinning

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injury repair remains a challenge, with current nerve guide conduits (NGCs) lacking sufficient efficiency compared to autografts.
• Developing advanced NGCs with enhanced biocompatibility and structural integrity is crucial for effective nerve regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate novel 3D electrospun scaffolds (3D/E) using poly(l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) combined with 3D printing.
• To enhance the biocompatibility and conductivity of these scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration by incorporating polypyrrole (PPy).

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D electrospun scaffolds (3D/E) from PLCL and PLGA using a hybrid 3D printing and electrospinning technique.
• Deposition of polypyrrole (PPy) onto the scaffolds to create PLCL-3D/E/PPy and PLGA-3D/E/PPy.
• Characterization of scaffold architecture, pore size, hydrophilicity, conductivity, and cytocompatibility using L929 and SC cells.

Main Results:

• The fabricated PLCL-3D/E and PLGA-3D/E scaffolds exhibited optimal nano- and microscale porous architectures (mean pore size ~288 nm).
• PPy coating increased scaffold hydrophilicity and conductivity, with PLGA-3D/E/PPy maintaining conductivity for 9 weeks.
• PLGA-3D/E/PPy demonstrated superior cytocompatibility, including enhanced cell viability, proliferation, attachment, and reduced membrane leakage and necrosis compared to PLCL-3D/E/PPy.

Conclusions:

• The 3D/E/PPy scaffolds possess a favorable design architecture and excellent biocompatibility for peripheral nerve regeneration.
• The PLGA-3D/E/PPy scaffold shows significant potential as an advanced nerve guide conduit for clinical applications in nerve repair.