Dual Electrospun Supramolecular Polymer Systems for Selective Cell Migration

Abstract

Dual electrospinning can be used to make multifunctional scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. Here, two supramolecular polymers with different material properties are electrospun simultaneously to create a multifibrous mesh. Bisurea (BU)-based polycaprolactone, an elastomer providing strength to the mesh, and ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a hydrogelator, introducing the capacity to deliver compounds upon swelling. The dual spun scaffolds are modularly tuned by mixing UPyPEG hydrogelators with different polymer lengths, to control swelling of the hydrogel fiber, while maintaining the mechanical properties of the scaffold. Stromal cell derived factor 1 alpha (SDF1α) peptides are embedded in the UPyPEG fibers. The swelling and erosion of UPyPEG increase void spaces and released the SDF1α peptide. The functionalized scaffolds demonstrate preferential lymphocyte recruitment proposed to be created by a gradient formed by the released SDF1α peptide. This delivery approach offers the potential to develop multifibrous scaffolds with various functions.

A Straightforward Approach towards Antibacterial and Anti‐Inflammatory Multifunctional Nanofiber Membranes with Sustained Drug Release Profiles

“…Particularly, wound dressings prepared by electrospinning nanofiber membranes have attracted more and more attention due to the high porosity and surface volume ratio, adjustable mechanical properties, the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of skin, and the potential to load a variety of drug/bioactive molecules. [5][6][7][8][9] To prevent wounds from bacterial infection, antibacterial agents such as antibiotics, antimicrobial polymers, and nanoparticles (NPs) like silver NPs, have been widely loaded into electrospun wound dressings. [10][11][12][13][14] Among them, antibacterial polymers are featured for their low biotoxicity, long-acting antibacterial activity, prevention of antibiotic resistance, and feasibility of functional modification.…”

“…Particularly, wound dressings prepared by electrospinning nanofiber membranes have attracted more and more attention due to the high porosity and surface volume ratio, adjustable mechanical properties, the ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of skin, and the potential to load a variety of drug/bioactive molecules. [ 5–9 ]…”