Polikaprolaktonun Elektrostatik Eğirmesi ve Rgd Yüzey Modifikasyonu ile Periferik Sinir İyileşme Kanalları Üretim ve Karakterizasyonu

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries are among the most frequently occuring health problems which are the results of several unpleasent incidents including traffic accidents, sports injuries, complications at birth, and woundings that result from fights. Autologous nerve grafts are considered as ''gold standard'' for bridging peipheral nerve injuries with long gaps, but this method has inherent disadvantages, such as limited supply, potential mismatch of tissue structure and size, donor site morbidity and need for multiple surgeries. To overcome the limitations of autografts, intensive researches are being conducted investigating artificial nerve conduits. In this study, biocompatible nanofibrous poly(?-caprolactone) PCL nerve conduits with a 2 mm inner diameter and about 500 ?m wall thicknesses were prepared by electrospinning. PCL nerve conduits were composed of polymer nanofibers with average diameters in the range of 500 - 650 nm. These scaffolds were further treated with Nap-FFGRGD (a molecule containing RGD tripeptide and hydrophobic naphthalene groups) to form an RGD layer on PCL nanofibers. Morphology of the PCL conduits were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The ultimate tensile strenght and elasticity of PCL conduits were higher than peripheral nerve?s. The thermal properties and in vitro biodegradibility rate of scaffolds indicated that the RGD/PCL conduits could provide appropriate conditions to recover severe nerve injuries. RGD peptides layer was visualized on surface of PCL fibers with coating FITC-labeled Nap-FFGRGD. The effects of nerve conduits on L929 cells were analyzed with WST-1 and also Hoechst/PI (double staining solution) assay for necrosis quantification and morphological examination of L929 fibroblasts.