Integration of PLGA Microparticles in Collagen-Based Matrices: Tunable Scaffold Properties and Interaction Between Microparticles and Human Epithelial-Like Cells

Abstract

The feasibility to obtain highly porous collagen-based scaffolds (SCs) integrated with uniformly dispersed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) was evaluated. PLGA-MPs were prepared by double emulsion technique and SCs with different amounts of MPs (SC/PLGA-MPs) were produced. Results showed that SC/PLGA-MPs could be successfully manufactured, the PLGA-MPs being physically retained in the SCs, without affecting the porous structure. PLGA-MPs also increased the SC hydrophilicity, acted as a mechanical reinforcement and retarded the degradation rate. In addition, the interactions between MPs and Caco-2 cells did not interfere with the correct morphological, adhesion and proliferation pathways.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• CACO-2 cells
• cell-microparticles interaction
• collagen scaffolds
• PLGA microparticles
• tissue engineering

Additional information

Funding

The authors express their gratitude for the financial support granted by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). L. Gallo also thanks CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Sur (Argentina) and Eurica-Erasmus Mundus Program for financing her fellowship at the University of Salento (Italy).