In vitro and in vivo analysis of co-electrospun scaffolds made of medical grade poly(ε-caprolactone) and porcine collagen

Abstract

In this study, a nanofiber mesh made by co-electrospinning medical grade poly(ε-caprolactone) and collagen (mPCL/Col) was fabricated and studied. Its mechanical properties and characteristics were analyzed and compared to mPCL meshes. mPCL/Col meshes showed a reduction in strength but an increase in ductility when compared to PCL meshes. In vitro assays revealed that mPCL/Col supported the attachment and proliferation of smooth muscle cells on both sides of the mesh. In vivo studies in the corpus cavernosa of rabbits revealed that the mPCL/Col scaffold used in conjunction with autologous smooth muscle cells resulted in better integration with host tissue when compared to cell free scaffolds. On a cellular level preseeded scaffolds showed a minimized foreign body reaction.

Keywords:

• PCL
• COLLAGEN
• SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS
• CORPUS CAVERNOSA
• NANOFIBER
• ELECTROSPINNING
• SCAFFOLDS