مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)-Collagen/MXene Electrospun Scaffold for Nerve Regeneration: Experimental and Computational Characterization
Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)-Collagen/MXene Electrospun Scaffold for Nerve Regeneration: Experimental and Computational Characterization
Maryam Sarrami,1Pooriya Sarrami,2,*
1. School of Medicine, The Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Independent Branch, Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran 2. Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Introduction: Tissue engineering has gained substantial attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to eliminating the limitations of tissue availability and the risk of immune responses, which traditional methods are associated with. Electrospinning is a superior technique for fabricating scaffolds because it provides a high surface-to-volume ratio and a nanofibrous microstructure mimicking the function of the extracellular matrix. Despite numerous studies having been conducted in neural tissue engineering, further research should be implemented to suggest a biomaterial with optimal properties and efficient functionality.
Methods: In this study, electrospun nanocomposites composed of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), collagen, and MXene nanosheets were constructed. To confirm the successful synthesis of MXene nanosheets, they were subjected to the analyzes of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and zeta potential. Moreover, the physical, mechanical, and conductivity features of the fabricated scaffolds were evaluated by SEM, contact angle measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile test, and electrochemical characterizations. A mathematical model was also proposed to predict the Young's modulus of nanofibrous constructs. Biodegradation investigations, MTS/PMS and Live/Dead assays, and electrical stimulation were employed to assess the biological behavior of the prepared scaffolds.
Results: SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and zeta potential assessments validate that MXene nanosheets were synthesized successfully. SEM micrographs of the electrospun scaffolds demonstrate an interconnected and beadless microstructure for all the studied groups. A reduction in contact angle from 78.3 ± 0.4 to 47.1 ± 0.6 has been observed after introducing MXene nanosheets (with optimal concentration) to the PHB-collagen polymeric matrix. Based on the results of the TGA and tensile test, the MXene-incorporated nanofibers respectively represent improved thermal stability and stiffness. Along with characterizing the unmeasurable microstructure characteristics, the theoretical calculations predict the Young's modulus of the nanofibrous composites with a precision of above 98%. Electrochemical analysis also indicates a remarkable (p < 0.05) increment in the conductivity of MXene-containing scaffolds. Compared to the polymeric ones, in vitro examinations reveal a significant (p < 0.05) promotion in the cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite scaffolds.
Conclusion: According to the physical, mechanical, electrochemical, and biological experiments, the PHB-collagen/MXene scaffold could be a promising candidate for neural tissue regeneration.