Naslov
The Reliability of PCL/Anti-VEGF Electrospun Scaffolds to Support Limbal Stem Cells for Corneal Repair

Autori
Zdraveva, Emilija ; Dolenec, Tamara ; Tominac Trcin, Mirna ; Govorčin Bajsić, Emi ; Holjevac Grgurić, Tamara ; Tomljenović, Antoneta ; Dekaris, Iva ; Jelić, Josip ; Mijovic, Budimir

Izvornik
Polymers (2073-4360) 15 (2023), 12; 2663, 17

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
electrospinning ; PCL ; anti-VEGF ; scaffolds ; LSCs ; physicochemical performance ; immunocytochemistry

Sažetak
Since only few reported studies propose anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) delivery through electrospun scaffolds, this study greatly contributes to the potential prevention of patient’s vision loss, as it explores electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) coated with anti-VEGF for the blockage of abnormal cornea vascularization. In terms of physicochemical properties, the biological component increased the PCL scaffold fiber diameter (by ~24%) and pore area (by ~82%), while ut slightly reduced its total porosity as the anti-VEGF solution filled the voids of the microfibrous structure. The addition of the anti-VEGF increased the scaffold stiffness almost three-fold at both strains of 5 and 10%, as well as its biodegradation rate (~36% after 60 days) with a sustained release profile after Day 4 of phosphate buffered saline incubation. In terms of scaffold application function, the PCL/Anti-VEGF scaffold proved to be more favorable for the adhesion of cultured limbal stem cells (LSCs) ; this was confirmed by the SEM images, where the cells showed flat and elongated conformations. Further support of the LSC growth and proliferation was con-firmed by the identified p63 and CK3 markers after cell staining. These results demonstrate the advantageous effect of the surface-adsorbed anti-VEGF to stop vision loss and help damaged corneal tissue repair.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemijsko inženjerstvo, Tekstilna tehnologija, Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA