Structure and properties of 3D resorbable scaffolds based on poly(L-lactide) via salt-leaching combined with phase separation

Abstract

In tissue engineering, polymer-based scaffolds play an important role via cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue regeneration in three-dimensional (3D) structures, exhibiting great potential in a variety of tissues. For fabrication of scaffolds, the particulate-leaching method and thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS) are popular procedures. However, a complete interconnectivity of the porous structure has not been ensured. We have prepared PLLA-based 3D scaffolds with high porosity by the combination of TIPS with NaCl salt-leaching technique. Interconnectivity and cellular infiltration were improved by humidity treatment in the preparation of the scaffolds. By optimization of the parameters of scaffold pore morphologies and cellular penetration, potent 3D resorbable polymeric scaffolds using combinatory method was demonstrated.