Electrospun PLA/PCL Composite Scaffolds as Platforms for Investigating Colorectal Cancer Cell Plasticity.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds provide tunable, biocompatible platforms for in vitro cancer modeling.
• Current 2D cell cultures lack the complexity for accurate preclinical cancer testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and a PLA/PCL blend scaffold on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines.
• To evaluate the potential of these scaffolds in advancing in vitro CRC modeling and therapeutic testing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of PLA, PCL, and PLA/PCL electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds.
• Assessment of scaffold morphology, physicochemical properties, and biocompatibility.
• Analysis of CRC cell (HT-29, HCT116) responses including morphology, viability, proliferation, metabolism, and gene expression.

Main Results:

• Scaffolds exhibited uniform, bead-free fibers with minor changes in crystallinity and hydrophobicity.
• PLA/PCL scaffolds promoted enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and sustained metabolic activity.
• Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of EMT, ECM, stemness, and adhesion markers, with cell-line-specific responses.

Conclusions:

• PLA/PCL electrospun scaffolds show promise for bridging 2D and 3D in vitro models for CRC.
• These composite scaffolds can significantly advance colorectal cancer modeling and preclinical therapeutic evaluations.