Nanofibrous Composites Reinforced by MoS ₂ Nanosheets as a Conductive Scaffold for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Abstract Mimicking the structure of extracellular matrix and electrical conductivity of myocardium are required to regenerate the functional cardiac tissue. In this study, Molybdenum disulfide, MoS 2 , nanosheets were synthesized and incorporated into nylon6 electrospun nanofibers in order to enhance the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the scaffolds. Then, the mouse embryonic cardiac cells, mECCs, were seeded on the scaffolds for in vitro studies. The MoS 2 nanosheets were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Nylon/MoS 2 nanofibers were characterized by SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), water contact angle measurement, electrical conductivity, and tensile test. Furthermore, cytocompatibility of scaffolds was confirmed by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT, assay. SEM images showed more elongated morphology for mECCs attached to the nylon/MoS 2 scaffold. Also, the Real‐Time PCR and immunostaining studies indicated the maturation and upregulation of cardiac functional genes including GATA‐4, c‐TnT, Nkx 2.5 and α‐MHC in the nylon/MoS 2 scaffold in comparison to the bare nylon. Therefore, MoS 2 reinforced nylon nanofibrous scaffolds can be considered as a suitable candidate in cardiac tissue engineering.