Comparative Physicochemical Characterization of Electrospun PCL, PLLA, and PLCL Scaffolds and Cell Responses for...

In tissue engineering, electrospun scaffolds are valued for their tunable features, which direct cell behavior. Within this study, we electrospun scaffolds from three common polyesters: polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL), to identify differences in cell-material interactions. PLLA fibers had the largest average diameter (2.6 ± 0.2 µm), PLCL fiber diameter was intermediate (2.2 ± 0.5 µm), and PCL was the smallest (1.1 ± 0.6 µm). Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed distinct surface chemistries that are correlated with streaming potential results at pH 7.4. PLCL fibers showed the most negative zeta potential (-36.4 ± 0.7 mV), followed by PLLA (-28.4 ± 0.8 mV) and PCL (-24.0 ± 0.5 mV). Mechanical testing indicates the highest strength for PLCL mats (5.6 ± 0.9 MPa), then PLLA (3.5 ± 0.3 MPa) and PCL (1.9 ± 0.1 MPa). Cell studies indicated lower initial adhesion of osteoblasts on PLCL (∼53%↓) and PLLA (∼73.6%↓) vs. PCL, likely reflecting PCL scaffold morphology; however, viability at 3 and 7 days was significantly higher on PLCL and PLLA. Microscopy studies confirmed greater filopodia and cell spreading on PLCL and PLLA. Overall, all three are suitable scaffold materials, with PLCL and PLLA supporting cytoskeleton organization and viability better.