A Core-Shell Electrospun Scaffold of Polyhydroxybutyrate-Starch/Halloysite Nanotubes Containing Extracellular Matrix and Chitosan for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering Application Publisher

Summary: Scientists report a new nanofiber scaffold boosts cartilage cell growth, promising better joint repair. #JointHealth #TissueEngineering

Movahedi M¹ ; Karbasi S¹
Source: Journal of Polymers and the Environment Published:2023

Abstract

Electrospinning is known as a versatile technique for articular cartilage tissue regeneration (ACTR) due to its excellent potential to produce a fibrous scaffold that mimics the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native tissue. However, there is a need to promote the biological performance of scaffolds maintaining their mechanical strength. In this study, a core-shell polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-starch/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) @ chitosan (Cs)-ECM scaffold was prepared via the coaxial electrospinning technique. The results exhibited a narrower nanofiber diameter of up to 164 ± 24 nm. Additionally, after combining Cs and ECM, the pore size and porosity increased by 9.01 ± 1.82 nm and 85.36%, respectively. Moreover, the core-shell scaffold showed an enhanced Young’s modulus up to 4.45 ± 0.1 MPa that could support chondrocyte cell growth. After that, the wettability and in vitro degradability of the core-shell scaffold were induced due to the hydrophilic nature of shell components. Also, chondrocyte cells had more viability and attachment on the core-shell structure proving the potential of core-shell nanofibers for biomedical applications. In conclusion, the results showed that the core-shell structured PHB-starch/HNTs @ Cs-ECM could be a suitable candidate for further trial towards ACTR. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.