Surface Modification of Nanofibrous PCL Scaffold Followed by Collagen Immobilization, Enhanced Endothelial Cell Attachment and Stability Under Shear Stress

Background and Aim: Endothelial cell seeding of synthetic vascular graftsis a promising method to improve the graft function. Surface modificationby functional groups followed by collagen immobilization improvesendothelial cell attachment and stability under fluid flow shear stress.We aimed to study whether surface modified PCL nanofibrous scaffoldscontaining carboxylic groups followed by collagen immobilization,improve endothelial cell attachment and stability.Methods: Nanofibrous PCL scaffolds were prepared by electrospinningmethod. Carboxylic groups were created into the scaffold surface usingNaOH solution (3M, 30 minutes). Type one collagen was immobilized onthe nanofibers after surface modification by NaOH treatment. HUVECswere seeded on the luminal surface of the untreated, NaOH treated andcollagen immobilized nanofibrous tubular scaffolds. All three groups ofscaffolds were placed in the perfusion chamber and exposed to fluid flow(35mL/min, 1h) using a peristaltic pump. The number of detached cellswas assessed by the trypan blue assay. Scanning electron microscopywas used to visualize the morphology of endothelial cells attached tounmodified or surface modified nanofibrous tubs after 7 days of culture.Results: The number of detached cells under fluid flow was significantly decreased by surface modification and collagen immobilization. SEMimages showed that collagen immobilization provides a compatiblesurface for endothelial cell attachment.Conclusion: In conclusion, PCL/Collagen nanofibrous scaffold has apromising surface for endothelial cell attachment and stability underfluid flow shear stress.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanofibrous PCL scaffold ، NaOH treatment ، Fluid flow ، Collagen immobilization ، Endothelial attachment