| Abstrakt: |
The biocompatible and biodegradable polymers of poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and poly (1,8-octanediol citrate) (POC) were used to fabricate a core–shell structure, in this research. The polymers were synthesized by polycondensation, and then electrospun with the second polymer of polycaprolactone (PCL). The morphology, mechanical, and physical properties of the PGS/PCL, POC/PCL, and the core–shell structure (PGS/PCL–POC/PCL) were obtained. The in vitro degradation and the response of the retinal cells on the scaffolds were also investigated. The presence of the POC in the composition increased the fiber diameter from 409 nm in the PGS/PCL scaffold to 474, and 521 nm in the POC/PCL, and the core–shell scaffolds, respectively. A similar trend was observed in the surface pore size of the scaffolds. The porosity of the scaffolds was measured in the range of 40–60%. The transmission electron microscopy confirmed the core–shell structure of the scaffold. The chemical structure of the scaffolds was also investigated using FTIR. According to the mechanical experiments, the PGS/PCL and PGS/PCL–POC/PCL showed relatively close tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at break to the retina properties. The POC contained scaffolds illustrated higher hydrophilicity and degradation rate compared to the PGS/PCL scaffold. The MTS experiments demonstrated no cytotoxicity in the prepared scaffolds. The cultured cells were attached and proliferated very well on all the scaffolds, especially on the POC contained one. According to the obtained results, the PGS/PCL–POC/PCL coaxial structure was a suitable scaffold for retinal tissue engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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