Endothelial cells performance on 3D electrospun PVA/graphene nanocomposite tubular scaffolds

Abstract

In this work, a small diameter tubular vascular graft (inner diameter < 5 mm) was prepared from electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing graphene. Nanofibrous nanocomposite scaffolds showed high porosity with an average pore size of 5–6 nm and exhibited exfoliated morphology. Measurement of the water contact angle of the fibrous nanocomposite scaffold indicated a significant change in hydrophilicity on the addition of hydrophobic additives. To examine further in vitro biocompatibility, endothelial cells were seeded on the flat and tubular nanocomposite scaffolds and cultured over 4 days. The results indicated that the cells could adhere and proliferate well on nanocomposite scaffolds than neat PVA. The 3-(-4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay exhibited no toxic effect of materials used in scaffolds while by loading graphene up to 3 wt% to PVA, cell proliferation enhanced considerably over 96 h. This approach, combining artery-like structure and efficient endothelization, might contribute to the clinical translation of tissue engineering vascular graft.