Fabrication and Characterization of a Trans-Activator of Transcription Peptide-Functionalized Collagen-Mineral...

Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture are promising for endodontic and craniofacial tissue engineering. This study aimed to fabricate a composite electrospun scaffold comprising poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), collagen, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and a TAT cell-penetrating peptide, and to evaluate its physicochemical properties and short-term cytocompatibility with fibroblasts.

Electrospun mats were prepared from PCL and PCL-collagen blends with or without incorporation of MTA and TAT peptide. Fiber morphology and diameter were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical structure was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Surface charge was determined by zeta potential measurement before and after TAT functionalization. Tensile properties of the PCL-collagen-MTA-TAT scaffold were evaluated using uniaxial testing. Cytotoxicity toward human fibroblasts was assessed using the MTT assay after 24 and 48 h of culture on PCL, PCL-collagen, PCL-collagen-MTA, and PCL-collagen-MTA-TAT scaffolds. Additional physicochemical characterization included water contact angle and biodegradability.

SEM revealed continuous, bead-free fibers forming a porous, interconnected network with submicron diameters in all groups. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of the expected components in the composite scaffold. Zeta potential shifted from negative values in PCL-collagen-MTA scaffolds to positive values after TAT incorporation, indicating surface modification. The PCL-collagen-MTA-TAT scaffold exhibited tensile behavior compatible with handling. MTT results showed fibroblast viability exceeding 90% for all scaffold compositions at both time points relative to tissue culture plastic controls, with no evidence of cytotoxicity. Water contact angle and biodegradability suggested that incorporation of collagen, MTA, and TAT improved scaffold surface characteristics.

The electrospun PCL-collagen-MTA-TAT scaffold demonstrated ECM-like morphology, modified surface charge, acceptable handling properties, and short-term fibroblast compatibility. This composite nanofibrous system may serve as a preliminary platform for further investigation in bone and dental tissue engineering; however, additional functional and long-term biological studies are required to confirm its regenerative potential.