Incorporation and delivery of two growth factors using bilayer nanofibrous scaffolds for gastrointestinal regeneration

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With advances in tissue engineering, relatively simple human body tissues such as bone can be regenerated[1]. It is important now to investigate the regeneration of complex body tissues such as gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI tract has a multilayered structure, with one layer having endothelial cells and two layers having smooth muscle cells. Growth factors (GFs) regulate cell activities and promote tissue regeneration. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are critical for regenerating GI tract. Electrospinning is widely used for making nanofibrous scaffolds[2] and emulsion electrospinning is often used for incorporating GFs in scaffolds[3]. This study investigated dual incorporation and delivery of VEGF and PDGF for bilayer fibrous scaffolds ...