%0 Journal Article
%T The effect of cross-linking on the microstructure, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of electrospun polycaprolactone每gelatin/PLGA每gelatin/PLGA每chitosan hybrid composite
%A Thi-Hiep Nguyen
%A Byong-Taek Lee
%J Science and Technology of Advanced Materials
%D 2012
%I Institute of Physics, National Institute for Materials Science
%X In this study, multilayered scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone (PCL)每gelatin/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)每gelatin/PLGA每chitosan artificial blood vessels were fabricated using a double-ejection electrospinning system. The mixed fibers from individual materials were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the cross-linking process on the microstructure, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the fibers were examined. The tensile stress and liquid strength of the cross-linked artificial blood vessels were 2.3 MPa and 340 mmHg, respectively, and were significantly higher than for the non-cross-linked vessel (2.0 MPa and 120 mmHg). The biocompatibility of the cross-linked artificial blood vessel scaffold was examined using the MTT assay and by evaluating cell attachment and cell proliferation. The cross-linked PCL每gelatin/PLGA每gelatin/PLGA每chitosan artificial blood vessel scaffold displayed excellent flexibility, was able to withstand high pressures and promoted cell growth; thus, this novel material holds great promise for eventual use in artificial blood vessels.
%U http://iopscience.iop.org/1468-6996/13/3/035002