Platelet-derived growth factor AA-modified electrospun fibers promote tendon healing

Platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) is an important promoter of tissue injury repair and might be a candidate for improving the mechanical properties of repaired tendons. Here, we designed a PDGF-AA-modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) electrospun fibers to promote tendon rehabilitation after injury. In the present study, we grafted PDGF-AA on the surface of PLGA. In structural experiments, we found that the hydrophilicity of PLGA containing PDGF-AA (PLGA-PDGF-AA) increased, but the strength of the material did not change significantly. Moreover, no significant changes in tendon cell proliferation and viability were observed in the PLGA-PDGF-AA treatment compared with the control group. The mouse tendon injury model (n = 9) experiment illustrated that PLGA-PDGF-AA effectively promoted tendon healing, and we confirmed that PLGA-PDGF-AA promoted collagen synthesis and deposition by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Moreover, the mechanical strength of PLGA-PDGF-AA-treated mouse (n = 9) tendon tissue was also higher than that of the PLGA-treated group alone. In conclusion, PLGA-PDGF-AA promoted regeneration after tendon injury and serves as a potential adjuvant material for surgical tendon injury repair.