Tri‐layered alginate/poly(𝜀‐caprolactone) electrospun scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering

Abstract

Novel tri‐layered electrospun alginate–graphene oxide (GO)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) conductive scaffolds were fabricated with a sequential electrospinning method for the first time, in which the middle PCL layer acts as a mechanical support of the scaffold. The top and bottom alginate–GO nanofibrous layers provide cell viability and attachment, and also electroconductivity for the scaffold. The fabrication of this nanofibrous scaffold aims to simulate cardiac extracellular matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the nanofibrous scaffolds, confirming the presence of GO in nanofibers and also crosslinking reaction of the alginate nanofibrous layer. The electroconductivity of the tri‐layered electrospun scaffolds reached 7.29 ± 0.91 μS with the incorporation of 1 wt% GO into the top and bottom alginate nanofibrous layers. The ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the alginate–0.5 wt% GO/PCL scaffold reached 22.46 ± 0.07 and 4.35 ± 0.56 MPa, respectively. The biocompatibility of the nanofibrous scaffolds was evaluated using cardiac progenitor cells. The results showed that the presence of GO accelerated the degradation of the scaffolds in phosphate‐buffered saline solution. The cell studies revealed that GO incorporation into alginate nanofibers on the surface of the tri‐layer scaffolds could enhance cell viability, adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the tri‐layered electroconductive alginate–PCL nanofibrous scaffolds could be considered as potential candidates for cardiac tissue regeneration. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Conductive polymers for cardiac tissue engineering and regeneration

“…Simultaneously, a high level of biocompatibility (viability, adhesion, and proliferation) was demonstrated against cardiac progenitor cells. 54 Numerous studies focused on the positive influence of graphene and its derivatives (GO and rGO) on the bioactivity of biodegradable polymers in tissue engineering and cell delivery applications.…”

“…In the meantime, a number of studies have highlighted the effect of GO on rapid degradability and improved mechanical properties of electrospun polymer scaffolds (such as PCL and alginate) even at extremely low GO content levels (below 1%) compared to pure polymer scaffolds. Simultaneously, a high level of biocompatibility (viability, adhesion, and proliferation) was demonstrated against cardiac progenitor cells 54 . Numerous studies focused on the positive influence of graphene and its derivatives (GO and rGO) on the bioactivity of biodegradable polymers in tissue engineering and cell delivery applications.…”

From Biomedical Applications of Alginate towards CVD Implications Linked to COVID-19

“…The overall results confirmed that the incorporation of GO into the alginate nanofibers enhanced cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. In conclusion, the three-layered nanofibrous scaffold made of alginate, graphene oxide, and PCL could be considered a promising biomaterial for cardiac tissue regeneration [ 89 ].…”

Improving rodents and humans cardiac cell maturity in vitro through polycaprolactone and polyurethane nanofibers

“…In the production of nanofibers, biodegradable polymers such as polyurethane (PU) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in composite or with surface modification are most commonly used. Most investigations focus on studying the influence of nanofibrous structure on cardiac cell attachment, viability, maturation, morphology, and orientation [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Tomecka et al compared the viability and alignment of rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2), neonatal rat CMs (NRCMs), and human CMs, which were cultured on PU nanofibrous materials modified by various proteins (such as COL, poly-l-lysine, gelatin, laminin, and fibronectin).…”