Tissue engineered fibrin/polyurethane hydrogel scaffold suitable for neural regeneration

IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) is very complicated and a medically complex condition, because many factors in the body inhibit its repair. For neural repair, tissue engineered scaffolds are an alternative choice. Interest in hydrogels for tissue engineering is because of their similarity to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), and the interest in nanofibers is because of the similarity in morphology between the ECM collagen fibers and nanofibers.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is design of a hybrid scaffold from electrospun fibers in a hydrogel to that promote neural network regeneration and support neuronal engraftment into the central nervous system (CNS).MethodsElectrospinning has been used to produce polyurethane (PU) nanofibers. For obtain nanofibrous hydrogel composite the PU electrospun fibers fragments thatwere prepared by cutting with a homogenizer were incorporated into the fibrin gel. In order to analyze the morphology and microstructure of the composite nanofibers scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used, and for quantify cell viability methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used.ResultsThe results of the SEM showed good attachment and integrity between the hydrogel and cells. The results of MTT assay showed that the cells MTT absorbance values in nanofibrous hydrogel composite were higher than fibrin gel and control conditions.ConclusionIn regenerative medicine for deliver cells into the CNS transplantable constructs were designed. Microscale nanofibrous hydrogel can promote neural cell behaviours, such as neurite outgrowth neuronal differentiation and maturation

Keywords:

Spinal cord injury , Hydrogel , Polyurethane , Electrospinning