Estimation and optimization of nerve cells’ proliferation on electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds

Due to the importance of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds in tissue engineering to regenerate and repair nerve injuries, the main purpose of this study is to present an optimized physical structure of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibrous scaffold as a biodegradable polymer that can increase nerve cells’ growth and proliferation. The effect of each scaffold property on the proliferation of the cells is assessed by estimating and modeling the rate of cell proliferation based on the scaffold’s structural characteristics, and the cell growth behavior is analyzed considering the changes in physical properties. Also, a statistical model is presented to estimate and optimize the number of proliferated cells by simultaneously considering the most effective electrospinning parameters related to the scaffold’s physical structure, utilizing the response surface methodology. The obtained results introduce the scaffold and fiber’s porosity as the most important scaffold property on cell growth enhancement. The optimal amounts of initial properties are 3% (w/v) and 2.5 m/s for solution concentration, and the collector linear velocity, respectively, based on the designed model, as well as the amount of the optimum estimated results is 1.359, which did not have a significant difference with the experimental results of these points. The scaffold suggested by the model had proper fiber alignment and diameter, providing the most optimal structure, adhesion, and cell proliferation in the desired direction by generating optimum porosity and hydrophilicity.

Graphical abstract