A novel polyurethane nanofiber scaffold with mechanical adaptability and anti-adhesion properties promotes tendon regeneration.

Abstract

The High-quality repair of tendon injuries continues to encounter two significant challenges: promoting tendon regeneration and preventing postoperative adhesion (PA). While traditional surgical methods can partially restore tendon function, issues such as postoperative adhesions and insufficient mechanical properties hinder clinical effectiveness. Recently, electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) have emerged as a promising material for tackling these challenges, owing to their capability to mimic the structure and function of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). This study presents a novel functionalized polyurethane (PU)-based nanofiber scaffold (NFS) using electrospinning technology, creating a multifunctional therapeutic platform characterized by excellent mechanical properties, bioactivity, and anti-adhesion capabilities. Initially, a new PU material was synthesized, incorporating rigid structures and active reactive sites within its backbone, thereby overcoming the limitations posed by traditional PU's chemical inertness for functional modification. The material's mechanical properties were tailored to match those of natural tendons through optimization of molecular design while preserving reactive sites for additional functionalization. The aligned PU nanofiber membrane fabricated via electrospinning successfully mimicked the topological structure of natural tendon sheaths, exhibiting remarkable degradation properties and biocompatibility. Furthermore, it significantly promoted the expression of tendon-related genes and enhanced the tenogenic differentiation potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Experimental results from a rat model with infected Achilles tendon defects demonstrated that the optimized PU NFS provided exceptional anti-adhesion effects and facilitated tendon repair. This innovative dynamic repair strategy provides an innovative solution for the clinical repair of tendons and other musculoskeletal tissue injuries.