Polylactide-based biodegradable scaffolds fabricated by two-photon polymerization for neurotransplantation

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to form biodegradable 3D microstructured scaffolds compatible with progenitor neuronal cells as a perspective approach to neurotransplantation. Materials and Methods. Photosensitive compositions were obtained from branched polylactides using Michler’s ketone photoinitiator. The 3D microstructured scaffolds were fabricated by two-photon polymerization method. Results. 3D microstructured scaffolds with a high spatial resolution have been fabricated from reactive polylactides by two-photon polymerization. The surface of scaffolds represents a structure with a high degree of roughness (1 μm average roughness). Dissociated hippocampal cells (from embryonic mice) adhere well to the matrix material, and active growth of axons and dendrites takes place. By day 10 of in vitro cultivation a well-branched neuron-glial network is visualized on a 3D construct. The developed structures have been found to possess a high biocompatibility with the primary hippocampal cultures, which suggests their application as matrix-carriers for the cells of the nervous system.