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Published on: February 7, 2016
Functionalization of PCL-based nanofibers loaded with hirudin as blood contact materials
Zhiwen Zheng1, Xin Dai1, Xueyang Li1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Innovative Biomaterials for Medical Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
Abstract:
Blood-contacting materials with good mechanical property, excellent anticoagulant function and promoting effect on endothelialization are in great demand for clinical application such as vascular grafts in treating cardiovascular diseases. In this study, electrospinning nanofiber scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) were functionalized by oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine (PDA) on the surface followed by the modification of anticoagulant recombinant hirudin (rH) molecules. The morphology, structure, mechanical property, degradation behavior, cellular compatibility and blood compatibility of the multifunctional PCL/PDA/rH nanofiber scaffolds were evaluated. The diameter of the nanofibers was between 270-1030 nm. The ultimate tensile strength of the scaffolds was around 4 MPa and the elastic modulus increased with the amount of rH. The degradation tests in vitro indicated that the nanofiber scaffolds began to crack on the 7th day, but still maintained the nanoscale architecture within a month. The cumulative release of rH from the nanofiber scaffold was up to 95.9 % at 30th day. The functionalized scaffolds promoted the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells, while resisting platelet adhesion and enhancing anticoagulation effects. The hemolysis ratios of all scaffolds were <2 %. The nanofiber scaffolds are promising candidates for vascular tissue engineering.
