Biomimic Tubulose Scaffolds with Multilayer Prepared by Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Electrospinning represents an attractive approach for polymer processing. In the present study, gelatin and poly (propylene carbonate)(PPC) were electrospun successfully and collected on a rotating mandrel to form tubulose scaffolds. Furthermore, to mimic the real structure of animal blood vessels, the polymers were employed in a single tube as distinct layers by the technique of alternate electrospinning. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology and diameter of the fibers, and the porosity of the scaffold. The tubes were seeded with rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and cultured for 2 weeks to evaluate their biocompatibility. The growth and distribution of the cells were observed directly under the fluorescent microscope. The interaction between cells and scaffold was analyzed by SEM and H&E staining. After two weeks culture, the fibers were almost embedded by growing BMSCs. H&E staining and green fluorescent image showed that BMSCs uniformly grew inside the scaffolds. The results showed that electrospun tubes with uniform pores and fibers of smaller diameter were appropriate for BMSCs attachment and proliferation. These primary data indicated that scaffolds fabricated by ectrospinning are structurally biocompatible. The PPC scaffolds may be useful in vascular tissue engineering if they were further modified chemically or with appropriate therapeutic molecules.