Core‐shell nanofibers: Integrating the bioactivity of gelatin and the mechanical property of polyvinyl alcohol

Coaxial electrospinning is used to fabricate nanofibers with gelatin in the shell and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the core in order to derive mechanical strength from PVA and bioactivity from gelatin. At a 1:1 PVA/gelatin mass ratio, the core‐shell nanofiber scaffolds display a Young's modulus of 168.6 ± 36.5 MPa and a tensile strength of 5.42 ± 1.95 MPa, which are significantly higher than those of the scaffolds composed solely of gelatin or PVA. The Young's modulus and tensile strength of the core‐shell nanofibers are further improved by reducing the PVA/gelatin mass ratio from 1:1 to 1:3. The mechanical analysis of the core‐shell nanofibers suggests that the presence of the gelatin shell may improve the molecular alignment of the PVA core, transforming the semi‐crystalline, plastic PVA into a more crystallized, elastic PVA, and enhancing the mechanical properties of the core. Lastly, the PVA/gelatin core‐shell nanofibers possess cellular viability, proliferation, and adhesion similar to these of the gelatin nanofibers, and show significantly higher proliferation and adhesion than the PVA nanofibers. Taken together, the coaxial electrospinning of nanofibers with a core‐shell structure permits integration of the bioactivity of gelatin and the mechanical strength of PVA in single fibers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 336–346, 2014.     

A biomimetic tubular scaffold with spatially designed nanofibers of protein/PDS® bio‐blends

Electrospun tubular conduit (4 mm inner diameter) based on blends of polydioxanone (PDS II®) and proteins such as gelatin and elastin having a spatially designed trilayer structure was prepared for arterial scaffolds. SEM analysis of scaffolds showed random nanofibrous morphology and well‐interconnected pore network. Due to protein blending, the fiber diameter was reduced from 800–950 nm range to 300–500 nm range. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results confirmed the blended composition and crystallinity of fibers. Pure PDS scaffold under hydrated state exhibited a tensile strength of 5.61 ± 0.42 MPa and a modulus of 17.11 ± 1.13 MPa with a failure strain of 216.7 ± 13%. The blending of PDS with elastin and gelatin has decreased the tensile properties. A trilayer tubular scaffold was fabricated by sequential electrospinning of blends of elastin/gelatin, PDS/elastin/gelatin, and PDS/gelatin (EG/PEG/PG) to mimic the complex matrix structure of native arteries. Under hydrated state, the trilayer conduit exhibited tensile properties (tensile strength of 1.77 ± 0.2 MPa and elastic modulus of 5.74 ± 3 MPa with a failure strain of 75.08 ± 10%) comparable to those of native arteries. In vitro degradation studies for up to 30 days showed about 40% mass loss and increase in crystallinity due to the removal of proteins and “cleavage‐induced crystallization” of PDS. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 1025–1033. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Silk–PVA Hybrid Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Enhanced Primary Human Meniscal Cell Proliferation

In this study, silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds were developed to investigate the attachment and proliferation of primary human meniscal cells. Silk fibroin (SF)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with different blend ratios (2:1, 3:1, and 4:1) were prepared. Morphology of the scaffolds was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hybrid nanofibrous mats were crosslinked using 25 % (v/v) glutaraldehyde vapor. In degradation study, the crosslinked nanofiber showed slow degradation of 20 % on weight after 35 days of incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF). The scaffolds were characterized with suitable techniques for its functional groups, porosity, and swelling ratio. Among the nanofibers, 3:1 SF:PVA blend showed uniform morphology and fiber diameter. The blended scaffolds had fluid uptake and swelling ratio of 80 % and 458 ± 21 %, respectively. Primary meniscal cells isolated from surgical debris after meniscectomy were subcultured and seeded onto these hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds. Meniscal cell attachment studies confirmed that 3:1 SF:PVA nanofibrous scaffolds supported better cell attachment and growth. The DNA and collagen content increased significantly with 3:1 SF:PVA. These results clearly indicate that a blend of SF:PVA at 3:1 ratio is suitable for meniscus cell proliferation when compared to pure SF-PVA nanofibers.     

Fabrication,Characterization and Cellular Compatibility of Poly(Hydroxy Alkanoate) Composite Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Nerve Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering techniques using a combination of polymeric scaffolds and cells represent a promising approach for nerve regeneration. We fabricated electrospun scaffolds by blending of Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Poly (3-hydroxy butyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) in different compositions in order to investigate their potential for the regeneration of the myelinic membrane. The thermal properties of the nanofibrous blends was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which indicated that the melting and glass temperatures, and crystallization degree of the blends decreased as the PHBV weight ratio increased. Raman spectroscopy also revealed that the full width at half height of the band centered at 1725 cm⁻¹ can be used to estimate the crystalline degree of the electrospun meshes. Random and aligned nanofibrous scaffolds were also fabricated by electrospinning of PHB and PHBV with or without type I collagen. The influence of blend composition, fiber alignment and collagen incorporation on Schwann cell (SCs) organization and function was investigated. SCs attached and proliferated over all scaffolds formulations up to 14 days. SCs grown on aligned PHB/PHBV/collagen fibers exhibited a bipolar morphology that oriented along the fiber direction, while SCs grown on the randomly oriented fibers had a multipolar morphology. Incorporation of collagen within nanofibers increased SCs proliferation on day 14, GDNF gene expression on day 7 and NGF secretion on day 6. The results of this study demonstrate that aligned PHB/PHBV electrospun nanofibers could find potential use as scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering applications and that the presence of type I collagen in the nanofibers improves cell differentiation.     

Electrospun composite scaffolds containing poly(octanediol-co-citrate) for cardiac tissue engineering

A biocompatible and elastomeric nanofibrous scaffold is electrospun from a blend of poly(1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) [POC] and poly(L-lactic acid) -co-poly-(3-caprolactone) [PLCL] for application as a bioengineered patch for cardiac tissue engineering. The characterization of the scaffolds was carried out by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile measurement. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are studied with regard to the percentage of POC incorporated with PLCL and the results of the study showed that the mechanical property and degradation behavior of the composites can be tuned with respect to the concentration of POC blended with PLCL. The composite scaffolds with POC: PLCL weight ratio of 40:60 [POC/PLCL4060] was found to have a tensile strength of 1.04 ± 0.11 MPa and Young's Modulus of 0.51 ± 0.10 MPa, comparable to the native cardiac tissue. The proliferation of cardiac myoblast cells on the electrospun POC/PLCL scaffolds was found to increase from Days 2 to 8, with the increasing concentration of POC in the composite. The morphology and cytoskeletal observation of the cells also demonstrated the biocompatibility of the POC containing scaffolds. Electrospun POC/PLCL4060 nanofibers are promising elastomeric substrates that might provide the necessary mechanical cues to cardiac muscle cells for regeneration of the heart.     

Three-dimensional electrospun gelatin scaffold coseeded with embryonic stem cells and sertoli cells: A promising substrate for in vitro coculture system

In this study, we present an electrospun gelatin (EG) scaffold to mimic the extracellular matrix of the testis. The EG scaffold was synthesized by electrospinning and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde vapor to decrease its water solubility and degradation rate. The scanning electron microscope micrographs showed the homogenous morphology of randomly aligned gelatin fibers. The average diameter of gelatin fibers before and after crosslinking was approximately 180 and 220 nm, respectively. Modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break values were as 161.8 ± 24.4 MPa, 4.21 ± 0.54 MPa, and 7.06 ± 2.12 MPa, respectively. The crosslinked EG showed 75.2% ± 4.5% weight loss after 14 days with no changes in the pH value of degradation solution. Cytobiocompatibility of the EG for sertoli cells and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) was determined in vitro. Sertoli cells were isolated from mouse testis and characterized by immunostaining and flow cytometry. The effects of EG on proliferation and attachment of both sertoli cells and ESCs were examined. The EG scaffolds exhibited no cytotoxicity for sertoli and ESCs. Both sertoli and ESCs were well attached and grown on EG. Coculture of sertoli and ESCs on EG showed better ESCs adhesion compared with ESCs alone. Our findings indicate the potential of EG as a substrate for proliferation, adhesion, and coculture of sertoli and ESCs and may be considered as a promising engineered microenvironment for in vitro coculture system with the aim of guiding stem cells differentiation toward sperm-producing cells.     

Analyzing the hydrodynamic and crowding evolution of aqueous hydroxyapatite‐gelatin networks: Digging deeper into bone scaffold design variables

The hydration of the polypeptide network is a determinant factor to be controlled on behalf of the design of precise functional tissue scaffolding. Here we present an exhaustive study of the hydrodynamic and crowding evolution of aqueous gelatin‐hydroxyapatite systems with the aim of increasing the knowledge about the biomimesis of collagen mineralization; and how it can be manipulated for the preparation of collagenous derived frameworks with specific morphological characteristics. The solution's density and viscosity evaluation measurements in combination with spectroscopic techniques revealed that there is a progressive association of protein chain that can be influenced by the amount of hydroxyapatite nanorods. Gelatin and additives’ concentration effect on the morphology of the gelatin scaffolds was investigated. Transverse and longitudinal sections of the obtained scaffolds were taken and analyzed using optical microscopy. It can be seen that the porous size and shape of gelatin assemblies can be easily adjusted by controlling the gelatin/HAp ratio in the solution used as template in agreement with our statement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 393–405, 2015.     

Mechanisms and control of silk-based electrospinning

Silk fibroin (SF) nanofibers, formed through electrospinning, have attractive utility in regenerative medicine due to the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and tailorable degradability. The mechanism of SF electrospun nanofiber formation was studied to gain new insight into the formation and control of nanofibers. SF electrospinning solutions with different nanostructures (nanospheres or nanofilaments) were prepared by controlling the drying process during the preparation of regenerated SF films. Compared to SF nanospheres in solution, SF nanofilaments had better spinnability with lower viscosity when the concentration of silk protein was below 10%, indicating a critical role for SF morphology, and in particular, nanostructures, for the formation of electrospun fibers. More interesting, the diameter of electrospun fibers gradually increased from 50 to 300 nm as the concentration of SF nanofilaments in the solution increased from 6 to 12%, implying size control by simply adjusting SF nanostructure and concentration. Aside from process parameters investigated in previous studies, such as SF concentration, viscosity, and electrical potential, the present mechanism emphasizes significant influence of SF nanostructure on spinnability and diameter control of SF electrospun fibers, providing a controllable option for the preparation of silk-based electrospun scaffolds for biomaterials, drug delivery, and tissue engineering needs.     

Fabrication of a biomimetic spinal cord tissue construct with heterogenous mechanical properties using intrascaffold cell assembly

In tissue engineering studies, scaffolds play a very important role in offering both physical and chemical cues for cell growth and tissue regeneration. However, in some cases, tissue regeneration requires scaffolds with high mechanical properties (e.g., bone and cartilage), while cells need a soft mechanical microenvironment. In this study, to mimic the heterogenous mechanical properties of a spinal cord tissue, a biomimetic rat tissue construct is fabricated. A collagen-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold is manufactured using thermally induced phase separation casting. Primary rat neural cells (P01 Wistar rat cortex) with soft hydrogels are later printed within the scaffold using an image-guided intrascaffold cell assembly technique. The scaffolds have unidirectional microporous structure with parallel axial macrochannels (260 ± 4 µm in diameter). Scaffolds showed mechanical properties similar to rat spine (ultimate tensile strength: 0.085 MPa, Young's modulus [stretch]: 0.31 MPa). The bioink composed of gelatin/alginate/fibrinogen is precisely printed into the macrochannels and showed mechanical properties suitable for neural cells (Young's modulus [compressive]: 3.814 kPa). Scaffold interface, cell viability, and immunostaining analyses show uniform distribution of stable, healthy, and elongated neural cells and neurites over 14 culture days in vitro. The results demonstrated that this method can serve as a valuable tool to aid manufacturing of tissue constructs requiring heterogenous mechanical properties for complex cell and/or biomolecule assembly.     

Electrospinning of highly porous scaffolds for cartilage regeneration

This study presents a new innovative method where electrospinning is used to coat single microfibers with nanofibers. The nanofiber-coated microfibers can be formed into scaffolds with the combined benefits of tailored porosity for cellular infiltration and nanostructured surface morphology for cell growth. The nanofiber coating is obtained by using a grounded collector rotating around the microfiber, to establish an electrical field yet allow collection of nanofibers on the microfiber. A Teflon tube surrounding the fibers and collector is used to force the nanofibers to the microfiber. Polycaprolactone nanofibers were electrospun onto polylactic acid microfibers and scaffolds of 95 and 97% porosities were made. Human chondrocytes were seeded on these scaffolds and on reference scaffolds of purely nanofibers and microfibers. Thereafter, cellular infiltration was investigated. The results indicated that scaffold porosity had great effects on cellular infiltration, with higher porosity resulting in increased infiltration, thereby confirming the advantage of the presented method.     

Electrospun sodium alginate/poly(ethylene oxide) core-shell nanofibers scaffolds potential for tissue engineering applications

Core-shell structure nanofibers of sodium alginate/poly(ethylene oxide) were prepared via electrospinning their dispersions in water solution. The core-shell structure morphology of the obtained nanofibers was viewed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was used to further quantify the chemical composition of the core-shell composite SA/PEO nanofibers surface in detail. Furthermore, one-step cross-linking method through being immersed in CaCl₂ solution was investigated to improve the anti-water property of the electrospun nanofibers mats in order to facilitate their practical applications as tissue engineering scaffolds, and the changes of the structural of nanofibers before and after cross-linking was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Indirect cytotoxicity assessment indicated that SA/PEO nanofibers membrane was nontoxic to the fibroblasts cells, and cell culture suggested that SA/PEO nanofibers tended to promote fibroblasts cells attachment and proliferation. It was assumed that the nanofibers membrane of electrospun SA/PEO could be used for tissue engineering scaffolds.     

Biosilica‐loaded poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) nanofibers mats provide a morphogenetically active surface scaffold for the growth and mineralization of the osteoclast‐related SaOS‐2 cells

Bioprinting/3D cell printing procedures for the preparation of scaffolds/implants have the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine. Besides biocompatibility and biodegradability, the hardness of the scaffold material is of critical importance to allow sufficient mechanical protection and, to the same extent, allow migration, cell–cell, and cell–substrate contact formation of the matrix‐embedded cells. In the present study, we present a strategy to encase a bioprinted, cell‐containing, and soft scaffold with an electrospun mat. The electrospun poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers mats, containing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), were subsequently incubated with silicatein. Silicatein synthesizes polymeric biosilica by polycondensation of ortho‐silicate that is formed from prehydrolyzed TEOS. Biosilica provides a morphogenetically active matrix for the growth and mineralization of osteoblast‐related SaOS‐2 cells in vitro. Analysis of the microstructure of the 300–700 nm thick PCL/TEOS nanofibers, incubated with silicatein and prehydrolyzed TEOS, displayed biosilica deposits on the mats formed by the nanofibers. We conclude and propose that electrospun PCL nanofibers mats, coated with biosilica, may represent a morphogenetically active and protective cover for bioprinted cell/tissue‐like units with a suitable mechanical stability, even if the cells are embedded in a softer matrix.     

Biomimetic and bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds from electrospun composite nanofibers

Electrospinning is an enabling technology that can architecturally (in terms of geometry, morphology or topography) and biochemically fabricate engineered cellular scaffolds that mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). This is especially important and forms one of the essential paradigms in the area of tissue engineering. While biomimesis of the physical dimensions of native ECM's major constituents (eg, collagen) is no longer a fabrication-related challenge in tissue engineering research, conveying bioactivity to electrospun nanofibrous structures will determine the efficiency of utilizing electrospun nanofibers for regenerating biologically functional tissues. This can certainly be achieved through developing composite nanofibers. This article gives a brief overview on the current development and application status of employing electrospun composite nanofibers for constructing biomimetic and bioactive tissue scaffolds. Considering that composites consist of at least two material components and phases, this review details three different configurations of nanofibrous composite structures by using hybridizing basic binary material systems as example. These are components blended composite nanofiber, core-shell structured composite nanofiber, and nanofibrous mingled structure.     

Electrospinning preparation and photoluminescence properties of Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ nanostructures

Novel nanostructures of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Tb³⁺ (denoted as YAG:Tb³⁺ for short) nanobelts and nanofibers were fabricated by calcination of the respective electrospun PVP/[Y(NO₃)₃ + Tb(NO₃)₃ + Al(NO₃)₃] composite nanobelts and nanofibers. YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures are cubic in structure with a space group of I_a3d. The thickness and width of the YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanobelts are respectively ca. 125 nm and 5.9 ± 0.3 µm, and the diameter of YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanofibers is 166.0 ± 20 nm (95% confidence level). The YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures emit predominantly at 544 nm from the energy levels transition of ⁵D₄ → ⁷ F₅ of Tb³⁺ ions under the excitation of 274‐nm ultraviolet light. It was found that the optimum doping molar concentration of Tb³⁺ ions for YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures was 7%. Compared with YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanofibers, YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanobelts exhibit a stronger photoluminescence (PL) intensity under the same doping concentration. Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) analysis demonstrates that the emitting colors of YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures are located in the green region and color‐tuned luminescence can be obtained by changing the doping concentration of Tb³⁺ and morphologies of the nanostructures, which could be applied in the field of optical telecommunication and optoelectronic devices. The possible formation mechanisms of YAG:Tb³⁺ nanobelts and nanofibers are also proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved cellular response on functionalized polypyrrole interfaces

Neuroregeneration strategies involve multiple factors to stimulate nerve regeneration. Neural support with chemical and physical cues to optimize neural growth and replacing the lesion neuron and axons are crucial for designing neural scaffolds, which is a promising treatment approach. In this study, polypyrrole polymerization and its functionalization at the interface developed by glycine and gelatin for further optimization of cellular response. Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan solutions. The electrospun scaffolds were polymerized on the surface by pyrrole monomers to form an electroactive interface for further applications in neural tissue engineering. The polymerized polypyrrole showed a positive zeta potential value of 57.5 ± 5.46 mV. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the glycine and gelatin-functionalized polypyrrole-coated scaffolds were evaluated. No inflammatory cells were observed for the implanted scaffolds. Further, DAPI nucleus staining showed a superior cell attachment on the gelatin-functionalized polypyrrole-coated scaffolds. The topography and tuned positively charged polypyrrole interface with gelatin functionalization is expected to be particularly efficient physical and chemical simultaneous factors for promoting neural cell adhesion.     

Co-electrospun blends of PLGA, gelatin, and elastin as potential nonthrombogenic scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering

In search for novel biomimetic scaffolds for application in vascular tissue engineering, we evaluated a series of fibrous scaffolds prepared by coelectrospinning tertiary blends of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), gelatin, and elastin (PGE). By systematically varying the ratios of PLGA and gelatin, we could fine-tune fiber size and swelling upon hydration as well as the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Of all PGE blends tested, PGE321 (PLGA, gelatin, elastin v/v/v ratios of 3:2:1) produced the smallest fiber size (317 ± 46 nm, 446 ± 69 nm once hydrated) and exhibited the highest Young's modulus (770 ± 131 kPa) and tensile strength (130 ± 7 kPa). All PGE scaffolds supported the attachment and metabolization of human endothelial cells (ECs) and bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) with some variances in EC morphology and cytoskeletal spreading observed at 48 h postseeding, whereas no morphologic differences were observed at confluence (day 8). The rate of metabolization of ECs, but not of SMCs, was lower than that on tissue culture plastic and depended on the specific PGE composition. Importantly, PGE scaffolds were capable of guiding the organotypic distribution of ECs and SMCs on and within the scaffolds, respectively. Moreover, the EC monolayer generated on the PGE scaffold surface was nonthrombogenic and functional, as assessed by the basal and cytokine-inducible levels of mRNA expression and amidolytic activity of tissue factor, a key player in the extrinsic clotting cascade. Taken together, our data indicate the potential application of PGE scaffolds in vascular tissue engineering.     

Increased matrix synthesis by fibroblasts with decreased proliferation on synthetic chitosan-gelatin porous structures

Influence of mechanical characteristics and matrix architecture of substrates used in cell culture is an important issue to tissue engineering. Chitosan‐based materials have been processed into porous structures, injectable gels and membranes, and are investigated to regenerate various tissues. However, the effect of these structures on cell growth and matrix production in accordance with each of the differing scaffolds has not been examined. We investigated the influence of porous structures, hydrogels, and membranes on the growth of normal human fibroblasts and their matrix production in a serum‐free system. We used chitosan alone and in combination with gelatin. Injectable hydrogels were prepared using 2‐glycerol phosphate. From the same solution, porous scaffolds and membranes were formed using controlled rate freezing and lyophilization, and air‐drying, respectively. Fibroblast growth was evaluated on the 4th and 10th days using flow cytometry and CFDA‐SE pre‐staining. Cell morphology was assessed using actin and nucleus staining. Total protein content, collagen, tropoelastin, and MMP2/MMP‐9 activity in the media supernatant were assessed by BCA, Sircol?, Fastin Elastin, and fluorogeneic peptide assays. Collagen accumulated in the matrix was assessed by Sircol? assay after pepsin/acetic acid digestion and by Masson's Trichrome staining. These results showed increased viability of fibroblasts on chitosan–gelatin porous scaffold with decreased proliferation relative to tissue culture plastic (TCP) surface despite the cells showing spindle shape. The total protein, collagen, and tropoelastin contents were higher in the spent media from chitosan–gelatin porous scaffolds compared to other conditions. MMP2/MMP9 activity was comparable to TCP. An increase in collagen content was also observed in the matrix, suggesting increased matrix deposition. In summary, matrix production is influenced by the form of chitosan structures, which significantly affects the regenerative process. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1314–1325. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Radiation-induced biomimetic modification of dual-layered nano/microfibrous scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering

One of the interesting strategies for developing the artificial blood vessels is to generate multi-layered scaffolds for mimicking the structure of native blood vessels such as the intima, media, and adventitia. In this study, we prepared dual-layered poly(L-lactide-co-?-caprolactone) (PLCL) scaffolds with micro- and nanofibers as a basic construct of the vessel using electrospinning methods, which was functionalized using a gelatin through acrylic acid (AAc) grafting by γ-ray irradiation. Based on the microfibrous platform (fiber diameter 5 μm), the thickness of the nanofibrous layer (fiber diameter 700 nm) was controlled from 1.1 ± 0.8 to 32.2 ± 1.7 μm, and the mechanical property of the scaffolds was almost maintained despite the increase in thickness of the nanofibrous layer. The successful AAc graft by γ-ray irradiation could allow the gelatin immobilization on the scaffolds. The proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) on the scaffolds toward a microfibrous layer was approximately 1.3-times greater than in the other groups, and the infiltration was significantly increased, presenting a wide cell distribution in the cross-section. In addition, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion toward nanofibrous layer was well-managed over the entire surface, and the accelerated proliferation was observed on the gelatin-functionalized scaffolds presenting the well-organized gap-junctions. Therefore, our biomimetic dual-layered scaffolds may be the alternative tools for replacing the damaged blood vessels.     

Plasmon‐Enhanced Polymer Photovoltaic Device Performance Using Different Patterned Ag/PVP Electrospun Nanofibers

Significant enhancement of P3HT (poly(3‐hexylthiophene)):PC₆₁BM ([6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester) photovoltaic devices using different patterns of electrospun Ag/PVP composite nanofibers, including nonwoven, aligned, and crossed patterns, is reported. The composite electrospun nanofibers are prepared using in situ reduction of silver (Ag) nanoparticles in Ag/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) via a two‐fluid coaxial electrospinning technique. The composition, crystalline orientation, and particle size of Ag are manipulated by controlling the core/shell solution concentration. The smallest diameter of the composite nanofibers leads to the highest orientation of the Ag nanoparticles and results in the largest conductivity due to geometric confinement. Such composite nanofibers exhibit the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, which provides near field enhancement of electromagnetic field around active layer. Additionally, composite nanofibers with the crossed or nonwoven patterns further enhance high carrier mobility, compared to that of the aligned pattern. It leads to the 18.7% enhancement of the power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cell compared to the parent device. The results indicate that the high conductivity and SPR effect of the Ag/PVP electrospun nanofibers can significantly improve the photocurrent and PCE, leading to promising organic solar cell applications.     

Potential of Magnetic Nanofiber Scaffolds with Mechanical and Biological Properties Applicable for Bone Regeneration

Magnetic nanofibrous scaffolds of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were produced, and their effects on physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties were extensively addressed to find efficacy for bone regeneration purpose. MNPs 12 nm in diameter were citrated and evenly distributed in PCL solutions up to 20% and then were electrospun into nonwoven nanofibrous webs. Incorporation of MNPs greatly improved the hydrophilicity of the nanofibers. Tensile mechanical properties of the nanofibers (tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus and elongation) were significantly enhanced with the addition of MNPs up to 15%. In particular, the tensile strength increase was as high as ∼25 MPa at 15% MNPs vs. ∼10 MPa in pure PCL. PCL-MNP nanofibers exhibited magnetic behaviors, with a high saturation point and hysteresis loop area, which increased gradually with MNP content. The incorporation of MNPs substantially increased the degradation of the nanofibers, with a weight loss of ∼20% in pure PCL, ∼45% in 10% MNPs and ∼60% in 20% MNPs. Apatite forming ability of the nanofibers tested in vitro in simulated body fluid confirmed the substantial improvement gained by the addition of MNPs. Osteoblastic cells favored the MNPs-incorporated nanofibers with significantly improved initial cell adhesion and subsequent penetration through the nanofibers, compared to pure PCL. Alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of genes associated with bone (collagen I, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein) were significantly up-regulated in cells cultured on PCL-MNP nanofibers than those on pure PCL. PCL-MNP nanofibers subcutaneously implanted in rats exhibited minimal adverse tissue reactions, while inducing substantial neoblood vessel formation, which however, greatly limited in pure PCL. In vivo study in radial segmental defects also signified the bone regeneration ability of the PCL-MNP nanofibrous scaffolds. The magnetic, bone-bioactive, mechanical, cellular and tissue attributes of MNP-incorporated PCL nanofibers make them promising candidate scaffolds for bone regeneration.