Status : Verified
Personal Name | Bello, Jean Raynell S. |
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Resource Title | Electrospun natural rubber/poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers for cell and tissue explant culture |
Date Issued | 23 May 2019 |
Abstract | Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine provide an avenue by which the biological functions of diseased or damaged tissues can be restored or re-established. Polymeric nanofibers are often the strong contenders in addressing the need for tissue regeneration by mimicking the structure and functions of the extracellular matrices (ECM) in terms of scale. In this study, we investigated the potential of poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers with different loadings of deproteinized liquid epoxidized natural rubber (DP– LENR) as a potential scaffold for tissue engineering because of proven biocompatibility and wound healing capabilities of both PVDF and natural rubber. The tissue scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning technique. Characterization tests were initially performed as a prerequisite for evaluating biocompatibility. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the smooth, porous morphology with nano-sized fiber mesh. Tensile properties show that the scaffolds are adequately stable to support tissue implantation and growth. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis of the mats showed that addition of DP–LENR has no significant effect on the thermal properties of the nanofibers and exhibited thermal stability. Contact angle measurements present decreasing hydrophobicity of the mats with the addition of DP–LENR. Electrospun mats were shown to possess the appropriate morphology and adequate mechanical and thermal stability to support tissues. Biocompatibility of the scaffold was evaluated by performing cell proliferation studies and embryonic organ explants. Cell biocompatibility and adhesion of human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells seeded on top of the electrospun scaffolds were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. After 3 days of culture, the PVDF and PVDF/DP– LENR mats facilitated cell organization and attachment of HEK 293 on the fibers. Organ explants from 11.5 dpc mice were isolated and transferred unto the PVDF mats. Result showed that embryonic lungs have branched out and elongated by day 6 of culture. Cell monolayers were also observed around the epithelial lining which indicated thriving of cells. Taken together, the work demonstrates that PVDF/DP–LENR nanofibrous scaffolds exhibit biocompatibility and have the structural integrity to support cell and organ growth. These findings point to the possibility of using the scaffolds as suitable materials for tissue engineering among a growing catalog of biomaterials with biomedical applications. |
Degree Course | MS Chemical Engineering |
Language | English |
Keyword | poly (vinylidene difluoride); natural rubber; electrospinning; nanofibers; biocompatibility |
Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages