Evaluation of Stem Cells' Growth on Electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL) Scaffolds Used for Soft Tissue Applications

Abstract

This study focuses on the preparation of a synthetic tissue from a biodegradable polymer that can be used for soft tissue applications using electrospinning technique. Biodegradable thermoplastic polymer which is polycaprolactone (PCL) used for making electrospun scaffolds in three concentrations (10, 15 and 20%) Weight/Volume PCL. The results revealed the increasing in fiber diameter with increasing PCL concentration in the prepared solutions for electrospinning. Then the growth of horse adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated in vitro over these prepared scaffolds for 21 days with and without soaking in fetal bovine serum to study cells' growth rate and proliferation over the scaffold surface. The Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed high growth rates for stem cells on these prepared scaffolds especially 15% w/v PCL which supported stem cells growth even when it was not soaked in serum. The histological analysis revealed that the suitable structure for cells spread and penetration resulted in 15 and 20% PCL scaffolds. In conclusions, these prepared scaffolds could be a candidate for use in soft tissues repair and thus for regenerative medicine application, because they highly supported stem cells growth.