Electrospun scaffolds with surfaces modified by plasma for regeneration of articular cartilage tissue: a pilot study in rabbit

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development of an electrospun scaffold for application in cartilage regenerative engineering. Based on polylactic acid and polycaprolactone, the surface was modified with plasma polymerized polypyrrole-Iodine (PPy-I), which aims to improve cellular interaction and to ease the adhesion of the protein aggrecan (AG), an important component of the extracellular matrix of native cartilage. In vitro tests with autologous chondrocytes cells of rabbit were performed, and in vivo tests were performed over 30 days. Morphological and chemical characterizations of the scaffolds were executed. A comparison of the neotissue was done through tensile tests, histology and immunohistochemistry.