Polycaprolactone / Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Electrospun Nanofiber

Composite for Nerve Tissue Engineering

Sadr S. A.^1,2, Soleimani M.³ and Hashemi S. M.⁴

¹ Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Department, Stem Cell Technology, Tehran, Iran,

² Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

³ Hematology Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran,

⁴ Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Department, Stem Cell Technology, Tehran, Iran

Introduction

Distribution and growth of cells on a scaffold are two most cornerstone factors, defining a useful scaffold. The potential of PCL / f-Carbon nanotube nanofiber as scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering was investigated. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a new porous nanofibrous scaffolds by the electrospinning method.

Method and Material

In this process, polymer fibers with diameters in the nanometer and micrometer range are formed by subjecting a polymer fluid jet to a high electric field. We developed a method to align functionalized carbon nanotubes inside the fibers to serve some electromagnetic and mechanical properties for this scaffolds. Attempt was also made to develop microbraided and aligned microfiber scaffolds. Mouse Embryonic stem cells were seeded and cultured on scaffolds under static conditions for 3 days.

Result and Discussion

Light microscopy showed that the nerve stem cells adhered and differentiated on all the scaffolds and supported neurite outgrowth. Interesting observation was seen in the aligned microfiber scaffolds, where the Mouse Embryonic stem cells attached and differentiated along the direction of the fibers and we could affect their morphology and growth by inducing an external magnetic field.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that PCL / f-Carbon nanotube is a potential scaffold for nerve tissue engineering and predicts and controls the orientation and growth of nerve stem cells on the scaffold.

References

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