Fibroblastic tissue growth on polymeric electrospun membranes: a feasibility study

Abstract In recent years the interest in synthetic scaffolds has increased significantly as an alternative to animal-derived materials, as well as the advancement of material and manufacturing engineering, has resulted in improved standardisation and reproducibility within the field. Despite these advancements, a significant amount of research on animal-derived scaffolds, whilst research on synthetic materials is lacking for the growth of non-tumourgenic breast cell lines. The main objective of this work is to manufacture biodegradable scaffolds using biocompatible materials such as PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol), PU (Polyurethane), Ge (Gelatin) and PCL (Poly-(-caprolactone) to test human cell adhesion and investigate the optimal system that supports representative tissue organisation and that could be used as an alternative to Matrigel™. Here, human mammary fibroblasts (HMF) were used as proof of concept. The membranes were manufactured using the process of electrospinning and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), contact angle, tensile strength, and degradation studies. The assessment of the membranes as a viable biomaterial for the growth and development of cells was studied by MTT proliferation assay, fluorescence microscopy and SEM imaging. Results demonstrate that all materials are suitable for HMF proliferation. However, from microscopy analysis, only PU and PVA membranes induced morphological organisation of HMF similar to those results obtained in the Matrigel™ control conditions. This feasibility study reveals that HMF organisation, and proliferation are affected by the properties of the scaffold. Consequently, scaffolds parameters should be adjusted and manipulated to impact cell behaviour and emulate in vivo conditions.