Nanocellulose and Elastin Act as Plasticizers of Electrospun Bioinspired Scaffolds

Abstract

In this work, we produced cross-linked electrospun hybrid scaffolds composed of gelatin/poly-d,l-lactide (PDLLA), gelatin/PDLLA/nanocellulose, and gelatin/PDLLA/cellulose nanocrystals/elastin. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated the complete embedding of each component in the hybrid scaffolds. The degree of cross-linking was quantified by the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid assay, and attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy revealed the effectiveness of the cross-linking reaction. Notably, the interconnected porous structure revealed in uncross-linked scaffolds persisted even after cross-linking. Scaffolds were characterized in water through their contact angle showing total wettability. We investigated their mechanical properties by uniaxial tensile testing, which showed that even in the dry state, nanocellulose- and elastin-containing scaffolds exhibit higher elongation at rupture compared to those with pure gelatin/PDLLA. Therefore, we succeeded in tuning the toughness of the scaffolds by modulating the composition. In order to use scaffolds as medical devices, we assayed fibroblasts on scaffold extraction media, indicating that they were noncytotoxic. Finally, the attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts on the surface of different scaffolds were evaluated.

Elastin‐Hyaluronan Bioconjugate as Bioactive Component in Electrospun Scaffolds

“…HFP, known for its low nucleophilicity and strong hydrogen bond‐donating ability, [40] was chosen as solvent because of its ability to solubilize both PDLLA polymer and El peptides [10b] . Herein, HFP was mixed together with H 2 O, to dissolve HA, derivatives 2 and 3 .…”

“…[9] Recently, we have obtained electrospun scaffolds by co-electrospinning and blending elastin-derived peptides with other natural or synthetic materials, such as gelatin, poly-D,L-lactide and nanocellulose crystals (CNCs). [10] Besides, the natural polymer HA has been widely used in biomaterial synthesis. [11] HA is a non-sulfated polysaccharide composed of D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), linked by alternating β-1!3 and β-1!4 glycosidic bonds, resulting in 4)-β-GlcA-(1!3)-β-GlcNAc-(1!…”

Thermal and dynamic mechanical behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐based electrospun scaffolds for tissue engineering

“…Uniaxial tensile testing of the scaffold in the dry state, previously described (Ciarfaglia et al), showed that addition of 8% of CNC, both in the presence and absence of elastin peptide reduced significantly Young's moduli, thus increasing elasticity, while in the hydrated state no differences were observed. Interestingly, 8NGPk and El8NGPk scaffolds showed higher elongation at break inferring a role as plasticizer in the dry state 55 …”

Epoxide Cross-Linked and Lysine-Blocked Zein Ultrafine Fibrous Scaffolds with Prominent Wet Stability and Cytocompatibility

“…A promising approach is skin tissue engineering which is to incorporate appropriate living cells, biochemical and physical factors, and tissue engineering scaffolds to create tissue-like structures for skin repair. The tissue engineering scaffolds are a key element to support the tissue reconstruction and are required to imitate the extracellular matrices (ECMs) morphologically and chemically . The protein-based ultrafine fibrous scaffolds are therefore favored because they have not only a semblable architecture as the fine fibers in ECMs but also a similar hydrophilic nature and amino acid composition which facilitate cell accommodation and prevention of dehydration.…”

“…The tissue engineering scaffolds are a key element to support the tissue reconstruction and are required to imitate the extracellular matrices (ECMs) morphologically and chemically. 5 The protein-based ultrafine fibrous scaffolds are therefore favored because they have not only a semblable architecture as the fine fibers in ECMs but also a similar hydrophilic nature and amino acid composition which facilitate cell accommodation and prevention of dehydration. Besides, the fibrous structure with interconnected pores guarantees the exchange of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of metabolic wastes.…”