Biocompatible Acetalated Dextran Scaffolds Loaded with Gelatin for Enhanced Cellular Adhesion (2016)

Undergraduate: Graham Collins

Faculty Advisor: Kristy Ainslie
Department: Applied Sciences

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Though many formulations have been used to create an array of cellular scaffolds, there remains a need for biocompatible scaffolds with tunable degradation times that do not create acidic byproducts. Unfortunately, ubiquitously used polyesters such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) have shortcomings in porosity and acidic degradation products. In order to create a scaffold with non-acidic degradation byproducts, acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) was chosen. Ace-DEX has degradation products of FDA-approved dextran, and exceedingly low-levels ethanol, and acetone. To increase the adhesion of cells onto electrospun scaffolds, collagen has been studied at great length. Since the use of fluoralcohols denatures collagen into gelatin and the two have similar binding affinities, gelatin has also been used as an adhesion molecule.

The electrospinning process created ribbon-like fibers with large surface areas for cell attachment. Gelatin concentration was reproducible from sample to sample. Contact angle studies revealed increasing hydrophilicity with additional gelatin content. Notably, an extreme reduction can be seen in contact angle with initial loading and sustained reduction through the 20% weight loading scaffolds. Degradation studies showed that the scaffolds maintain their bulk form after one week, and in vivo studies would be useful for discerning the actual persistence in an animal model. The MTT assay results support the scaffold as a useful tool for cell attachment.