Preparation of mesh-like collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering

Abstract

Collagen is an attractive biomaterial to construct scaffolds for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. Mesh-like collagen scaffolds were prepared using a synthetic poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) mesh as a template. Collagen microsponges were introduced in the openings of a PLGA mesh to prepare a PLGA–collagen composite mesh, or a collagen coating layer was formed on a PLGA mesh to construct a collagen-coated PLGA mesh. Collagen mesh with large openings (collagen mesh-L) or small openings (collagen mesh-S) was prepared after selective removal of PLGA mesh from the PLGA–collagen composite mesh or collagen-coated PLGA mesh, respectively. The structure of collagen meshes was controlled by the porous structure of precursor meshes. Collagen mesh-S had a hierarchical structure composed of collagen microsponges in the openings of collagen mesh-L. The collagen meshes supported human skin fibroblast adhesion and promoted cell proliferation. In particular, collagen mesh-S showed the highest promotive effects on cell adhesion, homogenous distribution, cell proliferation and dermal tissue regeneration because of its small openings. Fibroblasts cultured in collagen mesh-S expressed various kinds of growth factors that could stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and the rapid formation of new dermal tissue. Homogenous dermal tissue was regenerated when fibroblasts were cultured in collagen mesh-S. The template method provides a useful method for mesh-like collagen scaffold preparation.