Electrospinning poly(o-methoxyaniline) nanofibers for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

In this study, we prepared electroactive nanofibers of poly(o- methoxyaniline) (POMA) using an electrospinning method and investigated the effect of nanofibers on the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts and in vivo biocompatibility. The POMA nanofibers showed a smooth fiber structure and consistent fiber diameters ranging from 200 to 300 nm. The material exhibited redox potential by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The attachment and proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts cultured on POMA nanofibers were comparable to those grown on tissue culture plates. The myogenic gene expression of myoD, myogenin, myf-5 and MRF4 was not affected under electrical stimulation. In vivo biocompatibility was performed by implanting POMA nanofibers in the back of Wistar rats subcutaneously. Some neutrophils and macrophages appeared after 1 and 4 weeks, and angiogenesis was observed after 8 and 12 weeks. Our study suggested that electrospinning POMA nanofibers have good biocompatibility and are suitable for the growth and differentiation of myoblasts. Electroactive POMA nanofibers may be applied in muscle tissue engineering. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.