Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional nanofiber scaffold, similar to extracellular matrix, can be synthesized from many polymer materials by electrospinning technique. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/chitosan (CS) nanofiber composite scaffold can overcome the deficiency of each other to improve the biocompatibility of tissue engineering scaffold.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate biocompatibility of PLLA/CS electrospun nanofiber scaffold and rabbit endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).
METHODS: Nanofibrou scaffold of PLLA, CS and PLLA/CS were synthesized by electrospinning technology and morphology structure was analysed by scanning electron microscope. After EPCs co-cultured with the nanofibers scaffold, adhere rates, NO production, morphological difference were investigated. Furthermore, phenotype of cell seeded on PLLA/CS was observed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: PLLA/CS nanofibrous scaffolds have better diameter of nanometer fiber than the PLLA and CS. Three-dimensional porous nanofibrous structure similar to extracellular matrix was founded in PLLA/CS nanofibrous scaffolds. Adherence rate and NO production of EPCs were improved by PLLA/CS nanofibrous scaffolds (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 ). EPCs could fuse with maintaining normal shapes and differentiation function in composite materials films of PLLA/CS. Cells in PLLA/CS expressed vWF and then exhibited endothelial characteristic. An excellent biocompatibility in PLLA/CS electrospun nanofiber scaffold and rabbit endothelial progenitor cells.