PLLA-PEG-TCH-labeled bioactive molecule nanofibers for tissue engineering

Jun Chen^1,2, Beth Zhou^1–3, Qi Li^1,2, Jun Ouyang⁴, Jiming Kong^2,4,5, Wen Zhong^3,6, Malcolm MQ Xing^1,2,4,7
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; ²Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; ³Department of Textile Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; ⁴School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhoug, China; ⁵Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, ⁶Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, ⁷Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Abstract: By mimicking the native extracellular matrix, electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds (ENSs) can provide both chemical and physical cues to modulate cell adherence and differentiation and to promote tissue regeneration while retaining bioresorbable and biocompatible properties. In this study, ENSs were developed to deliver multiple biomolecules by loading them into the core-sheath structure and/or by conjugating them to the nanofiber surfaces. In this work, poly(L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-NH₂ and poly(L-lactide) were emulsion electrospun into nanofibers with a core-sheath structure. A model drug, tetracycline hydrochloride, was loaded within the nanofibers. Amino and carboxyl reactive groups were then activated on the fiber surfaces using saturated water vapor exposure and base hydrolysis, respectively. These reactive groups allowed the surface of the ENS to be functionalized with two other bioactive molecules, fluorescein isothiocyanate- and rhodamine-labeled bovine serum albumins, which were used as model proteins. The ENSs were shown to retain their antimicrobial capacity after two functionalization reactions, indicating that multifunctional nanofibers can potentially be developed into functional wound dressings or periodontal membranes or used in more complicated tissue systems where multiple growth factors and anti-infection precautions are critical for the successful implantation and regeneration of tissues.

Keywords: multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold, drug delivery, antibiotics