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Toward a new generation of pelvic floor implants with electrospun nanofibrous matrices: A feasibility study
Author(s) -
Vashaghian Mahshid,
RuizZapata Alejandra M.,
Kerkhof Ma H.,
ZandiehDoulabi Behrouz,
Werner Arie,
Roovers Jan Paul,
Smit Theo H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.22969
Subject(s) - gelatin , extracellular matrix , ultimate tensile strength , plga , tissue engineering , biocompatibility , biomedical engineering , materials science , electrospinning , adhesion , nanofiber , medicine , composite material , polymer , nanotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , nanoparticle , metallurgy
Objective The use of knitted, polypropylene meshes for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is frequently accompanied by severe complications. Looking for alternatives, we studied the potential of three different electrospun matrices in supporting the adhesion, proliferation, and matrix deposition of POP and non‐POP fibroblasts, the most important cells to produce extracellular matrix (ECM), in vitro. Study design We electrospun three commonly used medical materials: nylon; poly (lactide‐ co ‐glycolide) blended with poly‐caprolactone (PLGA/PCL); and poly‐caprolactone blended with gelatin (PCL/Gelatin). The matrices were characterized for their microstructure, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. We seeded POP and non‐POP fibroblasts from patients with POP and we determined cellular responses and ECM deposition. Results All matrices had >65% porosity, homogenous microstructures, and close to sufficient tensile strength for pelvic floor repair: 15.4 ± 3.3 MPa for Nylon; 12.4 ± 1.6 MPa for PLGA/PCL; and 3.5 ± 0.9 MPa for PCL/Gelatin. Both the POP and non‐POP cells adhered to the electrospun matrices; they proliferated well and produced ample ECM. Overall, the best in vitro performance appeared to be on nylon, presumably because this was the most hydrophilic material with the thinnest fibers. Conclusion Electrospun nanofibrous matrices show feasible mechanical strength and great biocompatibility for POP and non‐POP fibroblasts to produce their ECM in vitro and, thus, may be candidates for a new generation of implants for pelvic floor repair. Further studies on electrospun nanofibrous matrices should focus on mechanical and immunological conditions that would be presented in vivo. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:565–573, 2017 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.