Cobalt/Bioglass Nanoparticles Enhanced Dermal Regeneration in a 3-Layered Electrospun Scaffold

Abstract

Due to the multilayered structure of the skin tissue, the architecture of its engineered scaffolds needs to be improved. In the present study, 45s5 bioglass nanoparticles were selected to induce fibroblast proliferation and their protein secretion involved in wound healing, although cobalt ions were dopped to increase their potency. 3-layer scaffold was designed and fabricated via electrospinning method: polyurethane (PU) as outer layer, polycaprolactone (PCL) /collagen as middle layer and BGs nanoparticle/PCL/collagen as inner layer. Two three-layer scaffold with difference in inner layer fabricate and classified in two experimental groups. The scaffold groups were then examined in the following by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) methods. Also, the mechanical assay showed the highest young modulus for the composite scaffold with the doped nanoparticles and the water contact angle of this scaffold after chemical crosslinking of collagen was reduced to 52.34 ± 7.7°. On the other hand, the weight loss of the corresponding scaffold was the highest value of 82.35 ± 4.3 % due to the alkaline effect of metal ions. Moreover, better cell expansion, greater cell confluence and a lower degree of toxicity were confirmed by using L-929 fibroblasts for the composite scaffold with the substituted nanoparticles. Also, the up-regulation of TGF β1 and VEGF introduced this composite scaffold as a better model for the fibroblasts commitment to a new skin tissue without scar. As a conclusion, the 3-layered scaffold which is loaded with cobalt ions-bonded bioglass nanoparticles, is a better substrate for the culture of the fibroblasts and dermal regeneration.