Novel routes to epoxy functionalization of PHA-based electrospun scaffolds as ways to improve cell adhesion

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Polymer chemistry, 2014-03, Vol.52 (6), p.816-824
• Main Authors: Ramier, Julien, Boubaker, Meyssoun Ben, Guerrouache, Mohamed, Langlois, Valérie, Grande, Daniel, Renard, Estelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; biodegradable; biofibers; Biological and medical sciences; biological applications of polymers; biomaterials; Biomolecules; Cell adhesion; Density; Electrospinning; epoxy-functionalization; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; functionalization of polymers; glycidyl methacrylate; Human; Medical sciences; photochemistry; poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymerization; Scaffolds; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.27063

ABSTRACT Straightforward and versatile routes to functionalize the surface of poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) electrospun fibers for improving cell compatibility are reported under relatively mild conditions. The modification of nanofibrous PHAs is implemented through two different methodologies to introduce epoxy groups on the fiber surface: (1) preliminary chemical conversion of double bonds of unsaturated PHAs into epoxy groups, followed by electrospinning of epoxy‐functionalized PHAs blended with nonfunctionalized PHAs, (2) electrospinning of nonfunctionalized PHAs, followed by glycidyl methacrylate grafting polymerization under UV irradiation. The latter approach offers the advantage to generate a higher density of epoxy groups on the fiber surface. The successful modification is confirmed by ATR‐FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and TGA measurements. Further, epoxy groups are chemically modified via the attachment of a peptide sequence such as Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD), to obtain biomimetic scaffolds. Human mesenchymal stromal cells exhibit a better adhesion on the latter scaffolds than that on nonfunctionalized PHA mats. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 816–824 Facile surface modifications of poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA)‐based electrospun nanofibers are successfully developed via two straightforward and versatile routes for biomedical applications involving cell adhesion. The introduction of epoxy groups provides a robust platform for further bioconjugation of biomolecules under aqueous mild conditions. Preliminary human mesenchymal stromal cells adhesion results confirm the potentiality of one such approach.