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Enhancing Cell Compatibility of Melt-Electrowritten and Electrospun PCL Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Regeneration: Investigating the Influence of NaOH Treatment
Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting over 32.5 million US adults, is characterized by the degeneration of synovial joints. This slow-progressing disorder results in pain, stiffness, and functional disability due to the breakdown of joint tissues. Electrospinning (SES) and Melt-Electrowriting (MEW) are established methods for crafting nanofibrous Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) constructs for articular cartilage regeneration. However, the hydrophobic nature of PCL hinders favorable cell interaction. This study explores the wet chemical method's potential to enhance PCL surface wettability through partial hydrolysis. By adjusting NaOH concentration and treatment time, we aim to investigate the impact on PCL scaffold morphology, hydrophilicity, and cell viability. The findings may contribute to improving the efficacy of electrospun and melt-electrowritten scaffolds for articular cartilage regeneration.
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 32.5 million US adults and is the most common musculoskeletal condition worldwide. It is also known as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. OA is a multi-factorial, usually slow progressing, and non-inflammatory disorder of the synovial joints that results from stresses, due to abnormality in any of the synovial joint tissues, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, or synovium. This leads to the breakdown of cartilage and bone, resulting in pain, stiffness, and functional disability.
Solution Electrospinning (SES) and Melt-Electrowriting (MEW) are well-established methods to fabricate nanofibrous Poly(ε- caprolactone) (PCL) constructs for articular cartilage regeneration.
The hydrophobic nature of PCL, though, hinders favorable cell interaction.
The wet chemical method is a well-established to improve surface wettability.
It’s a method to based on partial surface hydrolysis of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. In both acidic and basic conditions, the surface wettability can be enhanced and functional groups can be introduced. By applying the chemical, ester linkages on polymer backbones can be cleaved which opens up carboxylic and hydroxyl groups. In case of the wet chemical method with NaOH, there is also the ability to introduce micropits on the surface, therefore increasing the roughness.
By exposing the fibers to the NaOH solution, the treatment induces surface hydrolysis, which generates hydroxyl groups on the fiber surface. This hydrophilic modification can improve the interaction of PCL fibers with aqueous environments.
The alkaline treatment can also alter the morphology and roughness of the PCL fiber surface. It can lead to etching or surface roughening, which can positively impact cell adhesion and proliferation.
The extent of surface modification can be controlled by adjusting the concentration and duration of the NaOH treatment.
For this reason, we would like to study the influence of several NaOH solution concentration and treatment time on PCL electrospun and melt-electrowritten scaffold morphology, hydrophilicity and cell viability.
Objectives
We are looking for a master's student to perform the following tasks:
1. Brief literature review
2. Scaffold production
3. Perform suitable surface modification
4. Assessment of the modification and hydrophilicity
5. Cell Seeding
6. Biocompatibility tests
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 32.5 million US adults and is the most common musculoskeletal condition worldwide. It is also known as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. OA is a multi-factorial, usually slow progressing, and non-inflammatory disorder of the synovial joints that results from stresses, due to abnormality in any of the synovial joint tissues, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, or synovium. This leads to the breakdown of cartilage and bone, resulting in pain, stiffness, and functional disability. Solution Electrospinning (SES) and Melt-Electrowriting (MEW) are well-established methods to fabricate nanofibrous Poly(ε- caprolactone) (PCL) constructs for articular cartilage regeneration. The hydrophobic nature of PCL, though, hinders favorable cell interaction.
The wet chemical method is a well-established to improve surface wettability. It’s a method to based on partial surface hydrolysis of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. In both acidic and basic conditions, the surface wettability can be enhanced and functional groups can be introduced. By applying the chemical, ester linkages on polymer backbones can be cleaved which opens up carboxylic and hydroxyl groups. In case of the wet chemical method with NaOH, there is also the ability to introduce micropits on the surface, therefore increasing the roughness.
By exposing the fibers to the NaOH solution, the treatment induces surface hydrolysis, which generates hydroxyl groups on the fiber surface. This hydrophilic modification can improve the interaction of PCL fibers with aqueous environments. The alkaline treatment can also alter the morphology and roughness of the PCL fiber surface. It can lead to etching or surface roughening, which can positively impact cell adhesion and proliferation.
The extent of surface modification can be controlled by adjusting the concentration and duration of the NaOH treatment. For this reason, we would like to study the influence of several NaOH solution concentration and treatment time on PCL electrospun and melt-electrowritten scaffold morphology, hydrophilicity and cell viability.
Objectives
We are looking for a master's student to perform the following tasks: 1. Brief literature review 2. Scaffold production 3. Perform suitable surface modification 4. Assessment of the modification and hydrophilicity 5. Cell Seeding 6. Biocompatibility tests
The aim of this project it to study the influence of several NaOH solution concentration and treatment time on PCL electrospun and melt-electrowritten scaffold morphology, hydrophilicity and cell viability.
The aim of this project it to study the influence of several NaOH solution concentration and treatment time on PCL electrospun and melt-electrowritten scaffold morphology, hydrophilicity and cell viability.
Elisa Bissacco
Doctoral Student
Institute for Biomechanics
GLC H23
Gloriastrasse 37/39
8092 Zürich
+41 44 633 44 52
ebissacco@ethz.ch
http://www.orthotech.ethz.ch
Elisa Bissacco Doctoral Student Institute for Biomechanics GLC H23 Gloriastrasse 37/39 8092 Zürich