Core-shell PVA/gelatin electrospun nanofibers promote human umbilical vein endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

摘要

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. In this study, coaxial electrospinning is employed to fabricate fibers in a core-shell structure with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the core and gelatin in the shell for evaluation as a potential vascular tissue engineering construct. PVA, a synthetic polymer, provides mechanical strength to the biocompatible and weak gelatin sheath. The HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) and rSMC (rat smooth muscle cells) demonstrated a flattened morphology with multiple attachment sites on the gelatin and coaxial scaffolds, with an increase in cell spreading seen as mechanical stiffness of the scaffold increased. Additionally, HUVEC had an increase in migration on the coaxial scaffolds, which was attributed to the increase in stiffness; however, this increase in migration was not seen with the rSMC, which had the highest outward migration on the flat surfaces (tissue culture polystyrene and gelatin film). Overall, these scaffolds are appealing substrates for vascular tissue engineering applications.