Development of Electrospinning Setup for Vascular Tissue-Engineering Application with Thick-Hierarchical Fiber...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Tissue engineering aims to replicate the extracellular matrix for vascular repair.
• Electrospinning challenges include creating thick, functional vascular walls with aligned fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a modified electrospinning setup for fabricating aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds.
• To investigate the influence of process parameters on scaffold architecture and properties.

Main Methods:

• A novel electrospinning setup incorporating an auxiliary electrode and a spring was designed.
• Process parameters were systematically varied to control fiber orientation, diameter, and distribution.
• Scaffold structure, mechanical properties, surface wettability, and cellular interactions were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The modified setup successfully produced vascular scaffolds with distinct inner (longitudinal) and outer (circumferential) fiber layers.
• Key parameters like rotational speed and auxiliary electrode use significantly controlled fiber orientation.
• The L+C vascular scaffold exhibited enhanced mechanical strength, wettability, and promoted endothelial and smooth muscle cell alignment and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• A modified electrospinning technique allows for the fabrication of fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds.
• The auxiliary electrode and collector design are crucial for controlling fiber deposition in biomimetic vascular engineering.
• This method holds potential for advancing the development of functional vascular grafts.