Innervation of an Ultrasound-Mediated PVDF-TrFE Scaffold for Skin-Tissue Engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Polyvinylidene-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) possesses favorable biocompatibility, mechanical, and piezoelectric properties for tissue regeneration.
• Schwann cells (SC) and sensory neurons (SN) are crucial for nerve repair and regeneration.
• Engineered skin tissue substitutes (TESSs) require effective strategies for promoting neurite integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of electrospun PVDF-TrFE scaffolds for promoting SC elongation and SN extension.
• To evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive electrical stimulation using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on neurite integration within TESSs.
• To determine the optimal electrospinning parameters for PVDF-TrFE scaffolds for skin tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of PVDF-TrFE electrospun scaffolds with varying electrospinning parameters (aligned and unaligned fibers).
• Electrical activation of PVDF-TrFE scaffolds using LIPUS to induce piezoelectric properties and deliver electric potential.
• Quantification of neurite integration, including alignment, elongation, and perforation, in SCs, SNs, and cocultures within TESSs.

Main Results:

• LIPUS stimulation promoted cell alignment on aligned PVDF-TrFE scaffolds.
• SC elongation and SN extension were significantly enhanced by LIPUS on aligned scaffolds, but reduced on unaligned scaffolds.
• LIPUS stimulation significantly increased the perforation depth of SCs, SNs, and cocultures into the scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun PVDF-TrFE scaffolds are promising for engineered skin tissue applications.
• Non-invasive LIPUS stimulation of PVDF-TrFE scaffolds can effectively promote nerve cell elongation, extension, and integration.
• This approach holds significant potential for advancing in vitro tissue-engineered-skin models for regenerative medicine.