Co-Electrospinning Extracellular Matrix with Polycaprolactone Enables a Modular Approach to Balance Bioactivity and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Decellularized tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds offer regenerative potential but are challenging to fabricate.
• Current methods like blending ECM with synthetic polymers can limit cell-ECM interactions.
• A novel suspension electrospinning platform facilitates ECM fabrication without digestion or polymer carriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare co-electrospinning and blend electrospinning of polycaprolactone and small intestinal submucosa (SIS) for bone wraps.
• To evaluate scaffold properties for augmenting membrane durability, infection control, and vascularity in Masquelet's technique.
• To assess the efficacy of co-spun wraps in bone tissue engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Developed a co-electrospinning system integrating ECM and synthetic polymers.
• Fabricated polycaprolactone and SIS composite scaffolds using co-electrospinning and blend electrospinning.
• Evaluated scaffold handling, suture retention, cell infiltration, gentamicin release, angiogenic properties, and in vivo performance in a rat model.

Main Results:

• Co-spun wraps exhibited improved handling properties and maintained SIS content after solvent welding.
• Co-spun wraps supported full-thickness cell infiltration within 4 weeks.
• Co-spun wraps released gentamicin at bactericidal concentrations for 6 weeks and demonstrated angiogenic properties.
• In vivo studies showed full tissue integration and enhanced membrane vascularity for co-spun wraps over 6 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Co-electrospinning offers a modular approach for designing composite scaffolds with enhanced functionality.
• Co-spun SIS/polycaprolactone wraps are effective for bone tissue engineering, improving durability, infection control, and vascularity.
• This technique holds promise for advancing Masquelet's induced membrane technique and bone regeneration.