Graphene Oxide-decorated PLGA/Collagen Hybrid Fiber Sheets for Application to Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Abstract

In this study, novel graphene oxide (GO)-decorated hybrid fiber sheets composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid, PLGA) and collagen (Col) (GO-PLGA/Col) for application to tissue engineering scaffolds were prepared via dual electrospinning. Physicochemical properties of GO-PLGA/Col fiber sheets were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and contact angle measurement. FESEM and AFM images showed that GO-PLGA/Col fiber sheets had a three-dimensional interconnected pore structure with an average fiber diameter of about 480 nm. FTIR and Raman spectra revealed that GO was uniformly distributed in the fiber structure of PLGA or PLGA/Col sheets. TGA profiles demonstrated that GO-PLGA/Col hybrid fiber sheets were thermally stable in spite of adding GO. GO slightly affected the contact angle of PLGA sheets, while Col significantly increased their hydrophilicity. Initial attachment of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) on GO-PLGA and GO-PLGA/Col fiber sheets was significantly superior to that on PLGA sheets, and their proliferation was gradually increased during the culture period. These results suggest that GO-PLGA/Col hybrid fiber sheets can be effectively used as scaffolds supporting tissue regeneration.