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Biomimetic, Suturable, and Extensible Electrospun Scaffolds for Lower Urinary Tract Surgical Reconstruction
Renea M Sturm1, Yadi Huo2, Felix Yiu1
1Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|July 27, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed novel electrospun scaffolds using gelatin methacryloyl and elastin-like peptides for lower urinary tract (LUT) tissue regeneration. The 5E5G scaffold shows promising mechanical properties and biocompatibility for enhanced LUT repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Urology
Background:
- Autologous tissues like buccal mucosa, bowel, and foreskin are used for lower urinary tract (LUT) reconstruction.
- These tissues have limitations including donor site morbidity, limited availability, and suboptimal mechanical and biological properties compared to native LUT tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel fibrous composite scaffolds for enhanced lower urinary tract tissue regeneration.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, degradation, biocompatibility, and cellular interactions of electrospun scaffolds made from gelatin methacryloyl and elastin-like peptides.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of fibrous composite scaffolds using electrospinning and photo-crosslinking with varying ratios of gelatin methacryloyl (G) and elastin-like peptide (E).
- Characterization of scaffold mechanical properties (tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, elongation), degradation rates, and in vitro cellular responses (smooth muscle, fibroblast, urothelial cells).
- In vivo subcutaneous implantation in rats to assess biocompatibility and tissue integration.
Main Results:
- The 5:5% (E:G) scaffold (5E5G) demonstrated favorable mechanical properties (tensile modulus: 25.6 ± 4.77 kPa, ultimate tensile strength: 41 ± 6.68 kPa) and suturability, closely mimicking LUT tissue.
- The 5E5G scaffold exhibited significant degradation (>50% in 21 days) and supported robust proliferation of smooth muscle and fibroblasts in vitro.
- In vivo studies confirmed the biocompatibility of the 5E5G scaffold, showing successful tissue ingrowth without fibrosis or inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun 5E5G fibrous scaffolds are mechanically suitable and biocompatible for lower urinary tract tissue regeneration.
- These novel scaffolds represent a promising alternative to autologous tissues for reconstructive applications in the lower urinary tract.
- Further investigation is warranted to optimize urothelial cell integration for complete LUT tissue engineering.
