Electrospun Polyurethane and Hydrogel Composite Scaffolds as Biomechanical Mimics for Aortic Valve Tissue Engineering.

ABSTRACT: In this study, a composite scaffold consisting of an electrospun polyurethane and poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel was investigated for aortic valve tissue engineering. This multilayered approach permitted the fabrication of a scaffold that met the desired mechanical requirements while enabling the 3D culture of cells. The scaffold was tuned to mimic the tensile strength, anisotropy, and extensibility of the natural aortic valve through design of the electrospun polyurethane mesh layer. Valve interstitial cells were encapsulated inside the hydrogel portion of the scaffold around the electrospun mesh, creating a composite scaffold approximately 200 μm thick. The stiffness of the electrospun fibers caused the encapsulated cells to exhibit an activated phenotype that resulted in fibrotic remode

SUBMITTER: Puperi DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10615647 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature