Fabrication of biomaterial scaffolds and in vitro biocompatibility testing with endothelial cells and platelets

Scope and Method of Study. The major goal of this study was to test the in vitro biocompatibility of two novel biomaterial scaffolds; electrospun scaffolds and the polyurea nanoencapsulated template mesoporous silica aerogel, with endothelial cells and platelets. A novel sheath-core electrospinning setup was designed that fabricated scaffolds with an improved mechanical stiffness. Fabricated electrospun scaffolds were characterized with electron microscopy. The biomaterial scaffolds were cultured with endothelial cells to investigate the vascular compatibility. ECs were imaged using a live/dead cell cytotoxicity assay. Electrospun scaffolds were also incubated with platelets to investigate the platelet platelet aggregation response, induced by thrombin receptor agonist peptide 6.;Findings and Conclusions. Transmission electron microscopy images show distinct boundaries between sheath and core component of the fiber. Grey scale analysis quantified the grey scale intensity for each polymer (CA and Chitosan), and polymers were clearly distinguished on this basis. It can be concluded that the polymer flow remained distinct and never mixed throughout the electrospinning process. Average fiber diameter and porosity were measured from scanning electron microscopy images. All electrospun fiber diameters were within a range of 1-5mum. Results from in vitro studies suggest that both biomaterial scaffolds (electrospun and X-aerogel) are biocompatible towards ECs. High values of cell density and viability were observed after 5 days of EC culture. Platelet studies with electrospun scaffolds showed no enhancement or inhibition of platelet aggregation.