Directional Growth of cm-Long PLGA Nanofibers by a Simple and Fast Wet-Processing Method

Abstract

The development of aligned nanofibers as useful scaffolds for tissue engineering is an actively sought-for research objective. Here, we propose a novel improvement of an existing self-assembly-based nanofabrication technique (ASB-SANS). This improvement, which we termed Directional ASB-SANS, allows one to produce cm2-large domains of highly aligned poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers in a rapid, inexpensive, and easy way. The so-grown aligned PLGA nanofibers exhibited remarkable adhesion to different substrates (glass, polyimide, and Si/SiOx), even when immersed in PBS solution and kept at physiological temperature (37 °C) for up to two weeks. Finally, the Directional ASB-SANS technique allowed us to grow PLGA fibers also on highly heterogeneous substrates such as polyimide-based, gold-coated flexible electrodes. These results suggest the viability of Directional ASB-SANS method for realizing biocompatible/bioresorbable, nanostructured coatings, potentially suitable for neural interface systems.

Features of L-Menthol Crystallization in Optically Active Medium Based on L- and D-Asparaginate Chitosan

“…The liquid-liquid type of phase separation was successfully used for the encapsulation of L-menthol into nano-and microcapsules made of chitosan (solutions in CH3COOH and additional crosslinking of the polymer with Na tripolyphosphate) [25], the vegetable protein zein [23], or polycaprolactone [24] were used, and specific thermally induced crystallization with no use of any organic solvent was successfully used for the encapsulation of L-menthol into monodisperse spherical micro-and macroparticles [20], thus ensuring stabilization, controlled delivery and release of this substance. The use of L-menthol as an initiator of multiepitaxial oriented crystallization (liquid-phase epitaxy) made it possible to obtain ordered and aligned poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanofibers for tissue engineering scaffolds and neural interface systems [22].…”

“…L-menthol has low toxicity for humans [26,27]. In addition to well-known cooling properties and a characteristic minty odor, L-menthol exhibits anesthetic, antibacterial, antitumor and immunomodulatory effects, and is also an effective agent for transdermal drug transport [22,28]. It has also demonstrated the ability to act as an inhibitory molecule on voltage-gated channels which significantly affect the neurotransmission functions of a living organism and gene expression in various cell types [29].…”