Heparin/collagen encapsulating nerve growth factor multilayers coated aligned PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering

Abstract Biomimicing topological structure of natural nerve tissue to direct axon growth and controlling sustained release of moderate neurotrophic factors are extremely propitious to the functional recovery of damaged nervous systems. In this study, the heparin/collagen encapsulating nerve growth factor (NGF) multilayers were coated onto the aligned poly‐L‐lactide (PLLA) nanofibrous scaffolds via a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly technique to combine biomolecular signals, and physical guidance cues for peripheral nerve regeneration. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) revealed that the surface of aligned PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds coated with heparin/collagen multilayers became rougher and appeared some net‐like filaments and protuberances in comparison with PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds. The heparin/collagen multilayers did not destroy the alignment of nanofibers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angles displayed that heparin and collagen were successfully coated onto the aligned PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds and improved its hydrophilicity. Three‐dimensional (3 D) confocal microscopy images further demonstrated that collagen, heparin, and NGF were not only coated onto the surface of aligned PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds but also permeated into the inner of scaffolds. Moreover, NGF presented a sustained release for 2 weeks from aligned nanofibrous scaffolds coated with 5.5 bilayers or above and remained good bioactivity. The heparin/collagen encapsulating NGF multilayers coated aligned nanofibrous scaffolds, in particular 5.5 bilayers or above, was more beneficial to Schwann cells (SCs) proliferation and PC12 cells differentiation as well as the SC cytoskeleton and neurite growth along the direction of nanofibrous alignment compared to the aligned PLLA nanofibrous scaffolds. This novel scaffolds combining sustained release of bioactive NGF and aligned nanofibrous topography presented an excellent potential in peripheral nerve regeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1900–1910, 2017.