In vitro evaluation of PLLA/PBS sponges as a promisingbiodegradable scaffold for neural tissue engineering

Abstract

In tissue engineering, the use of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/polybutylene succinate (PBS) blend for the construction of scaffold is very limited. Moreover, polymeric sponges fabricated from PLLA/PBS have not been studied for neural tissue engineering. In the present study, the potential of the utility of PLLA/PBS polymeric sponges seeded with Schwann cells was investigated. PLLA and PBS were blended in order to increase the processability and tune the crystallinity, porosity, and degradation rate of the resulted polymeric sponges. These sponges were then seeded with Schwann cells. Porosity analysis showed that there were no significant differences between different compositions of PLLA/PBS blends; however, the porosity was slightly higher in PLLA/PBS (3%, w/v, 2:1) scaffold. Degradation profiles were also investigated for 120 days and almost 25% weight of PLLA/PBS (6%, 4%, 2%, w/v, 1:1) scaffolds and 18% weight of PLLA/PBS (3%, w/v, 2:1) scaffolds were lost at the end of 120 days. In vitro cell culture studies were also performed and the results proved that all PLLA/PBS blended scaffolds were biocompatible. The highest cell proliferation was observed for PLLA/PBS (3%, w/v, 2:1) scaffolds and this construct can be considered a promising biodegradable scaffold for neural tissue engineering.