Biocompatible and biodegradable elastomer/fibrinogen composite electrospun scaffolds for cardiac tissue regeneration

Abstract

In this study, a mixture of elastomeric polymer poly[1,8-octanediol-co-(citric acid)-co-(sebacic acid)] or POCS and fibrinogen (FBN) was used to prepare electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds. POCS and FBN concentrations were varied; POCS : FBN: 0 : 100 as a control, POCS : FBN: 25 : 75 and POCS : FBN: 50 : 50. All the scaffolds were characterized by contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, mechanical tests, and cell proliferation studies. The contact angle measurements confirmed that the POCS : FBN: 50 : 50 scaffolds were hydrophilic. The scaffold diameters were confirmed by SEM to be in the range of 440 ± 120 nm. From FT-IR spectroscopy, a highly intense peak was observed at 1738 cm⁻¹ for the scaffolds, POCS : FBN: 25 : 75 and POCS : FBN: 50 : 50, which were attributed to –CO vibrations of an ester and confirmed the presence of polyester. The Young's modulus for the POCS : FBN: 50 : 50 scaffold was 0.27 ± 0.07 MPa and was comparable to native human myocardium. Cell proliferation studies by means of MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] assay were carried out on scaffolds. Human cardiomyocytes (HCMs) were seeded on the scaffolds and the interactions of the cell–scaffold constructs were evaluated. The proliferation of cardiomyocytes (CMs) on the scaffold was observed. The interactions between the cells and substrate were analyzed using confocal microscopy. The electrospun composite scaffolds of POCS/FBN showed flexibility and biodegradability. From the in vitro biocompatibility studies, it is anticipated that the scaffold POCS : FBN: 50 : 50 has potential for cardiac tissue regeneration.