Design of a Novel Two‐Component Hybrid Dermal Scaffold for the Treatment of Pressure Sores

The aim of this study is to design a novel two‐component hybrid scaffold using the fibrin/alginate porous hydrogel Smart Matrix combined to a backing layer of plasma polymerized polydimethylsiloxane (Sil) membrane to make the fibrin‐based dermal scaffold more robust for the treatment of the clinically challenging pressure sores. A design criteria are established, according to which the Sil membranes are punched to avoid collection of fluid underneath. Manual peel test shows that native silicone does not attach to the fibrin/alginate component while the plasma polymerized silicone membranes are firmly bound to fibrin/alginate. Structural characterization shows that the fibrin/alginate matrix is intact after the addition of the Sil membrane. By adding a Sil membrane to the original fibrin/alginate scaffold, the resulting two‐component scaffolds have a significantly higher shear or storage modulus G ′. In vitro cell studies show that dermal fibroblasts remain viable, proliferate, and infiltrate the two‐component hybrid scaffolds during the culture period. These results show that the design of a novel two‐component hybrid dermal scaffold is successful according to the proposed design criteria. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that reports the combination of a fibrin‐based scaffold with a plasma‐polymerized silicone membrane.     

Three‐Dimensional Polycaprolactone Hierarchical Scaffolds Supplemented with Natural Biomaterials to Enhance Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation

A hybrid technology that combines a three‐dimensional (3‐D) dispensing system with an electrospinning process was used to produce a hierarchical 3‐D scaffold consisting of micro‐sized polycaprolactone (PCL) strands and micro/nano‐sized fibres. The micro/nanofibre biocomposites electrospun with PCL/small intestine submucosa (SIS) and PCL/Silk fibroin were layered between melt‐plotted micro‐strands. The scaffold containing SIS exhibited a stronger hydrophilic property than other scaffolds due to the various hydrophilic components in SIS. The 3‐D hierarchical scaffold having biocomposites exhibited an incredibly enhanced initial cell attachment and proliferation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells relative to the normally designed 3‐D scaffold.

     

Mastoid Obliteration Using Three‐Dimensional Composite Scaffolds Consisting of Polycaprolactone/β‐Tricalcium Phosphate/Collagen Nanofibers: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Two different composite scaffolds, solid‐freeform‐fabricated PCL/β‐TCP supplemented with and without collagen nanofibers are fabricated. These scaffolds are evaluated whether a combination of collagen nanofibers with PCL/β‐TCP can promote osteogenesis in a mastoid obliteration. To assess the effects of the cellular activities of osteoblast‐like‐cells (MG63), SEM images and MTT assays are conducted. Experimental mastoid obliteration is performed using guinea pigs that are divided group A (PCL/β‐TCP/collagen‐nanofiber scaffold) and group B (PCL/β‐TCP scaffold). The results reveal that PCL/β‐TCP/collagen scaffold provide much broader cell attachment sites than PCL/β‐TCP scaffold. The µ‐CT and fluorescent microscopy results reveal that the acceleration of early new bone formation within the pores and scaffold itself at week 4 post‐operation is more effective in group A. In addition, based on the results of the histological and µ‐CT at 12 weeks post‐surgery, the effective regeneration of bone in the PCL/β‐TCP/collagen scaffold is appeared.

     

Synergistic Effects of Beta Tri‐Calcium Phosphate and Porcine‐Derived Decellularized Bone Extracellular Matrix in 3D‐Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffold on Bone Regeneration

Bone‐derived extracellular matrix (ECM) is widely used in studies on bone regeneration because of its ability to provide a microenvironment of native bone tissue. However, a hydrogel, which is a main type of ECM application, is limited to use for bone graft substitutes due to relative lack of mechanical properties. The present study aims to fabricate a scaffold for guiding effective bone regeneration. A polycaprolactone (PCL)/beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP)/bone decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffold capable of providing physical and physiological environment are fabricated using 3D printing technology and decoration method. PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffolds exhibit excellent cell seeding efficiency, proliferation, and early and late osteogenic differentiation capacity in vitro. In addition, outstanding results of bone regeneration are observed in PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffold group in the rabbit calvarial defect model in vivo. These results indicate that PCL/β‐TCP/bone dECM scaffolds have an outstanding potential as bone graft substitutes for effective bone regeneration.     

Biodegradable highly porous interconnected poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) scaffolds by supercritical foaming for small-diameter vascular tissue engineering

Biodegradable ?4 mm tubular porous poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PCL/PLCL) scaffolds are fabricated successfully via one-step microcellular supercritical carbon dioxide foaming process. The effect of blending ratio on the rheology, pore structures, mechanical property, wettability, and biocompatibility of PCL/PLCL blends tubular scaffold are reported. Rheological results show that PCL matrix and PLCL dispersed phase has good compatibility. The melt strength of PCL can be enhanced obviously by adding PLCL. With an increase of PLCL content from 10 to 30 wt%, the pore size increases from 7.6 to 24.9 μm due to the homogeneous nucleation effect. The maximum open-cell content can reach 77% for PCL/PLCL foamed sample. Cyclical tensile and compliance tests show that few content of dispersed PLCL (10–20 wt%) improves the flexibility and recoverability. Cell viability results demonstrate that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on all PCL/PLCL porous scaffolds exhibit a typical spindle-like cell morphology. Moreover, HUVECs have a higher density and spreading areas on surface of 10% PLCL scaffold. The results gathered in this paper may open a new perspective for the fabrication of small-diameter vascular tissue engineering scaffold.     

Preparation of Porous Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Structures

Porous poly(ε‐caprolactone) structures have been prepared by leaching of compression moulded salt‐containing polymer precipitates. Coagulation takes place when a PCL solution containing dispersed water‐soluble salt particles is precipitated into an excess of non‐solvent. Porous scaffolds are obtained after leaching of the compression moulded polymer‐salt precipitate. This process yields scaffolds with a very homogeneous pore morphology and independent control of pore size and porosity.     

3D and Porous RGDC‐Functionalized Polyester‐Based Scaffolds as a Niche to Induce Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Polyester‐based scaffolds covalently functionalized with arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid‐cysteine (RGDC) peptide sequences support the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. The aim is to create an optimized 3D niche to sustain human bone marrow stem cell (hBMSC) viability and osteogenic commitment, without reliance on differentiation media. Scaffolds consisting of poly(lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate), poly(LA‐co‐TMC), and functionalized poly(lactide) copolymers with pendant thiol groups are prepared by salt‐leaching technique. The availability of functional groups on scaffold surfaces allows for an easy and straightforward method to covalently attach RGDC peptide motifs without affecting the polymerization degree. The strategy enables the chemical binding of bioactive motifs on the surfaces of 3D scaffolds and avoids conventional methods that require harsh conditions. Gene and protein levels and mineral deposition indicate the osteogenic commitment of hBMSC cultured on the RGDC functionalized surfaces. The osteogenic commitment of hBMSC is enhanced on functionalized surfaces compared with nonfunctionalized surfaces and without supplementing media with osteogenic factors. Poly(LA‐co‐TMC) scaffolds have potential as scaffolds for osteoblast culture and bone grafts. Furthermore, these results contribute to the development of biomimetic materials and allow a deeper comprehension of the importance of RGD peptides on stem cell transition toward osteoblastic lineage.     

Incorporation of nanohydroxyapatite and vitamin D3 into electrospun PCL/Gelatin scaffolds: The influence on the physical and chemical properties and cell behavior for bone tissue engineering

Scaffold, an essential element of tissue engineering, should provide proper physical and chemical properties and evolve suitable cell behavior for tissue regeneration. Polycaprolactone/Gelatin (PCL/Gel)‐based nanocomposite scaffolds containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) and vitamin D3 (Vit D3) were fabricated using the electrospinning method. Structural and mechanical properties of the scaffold were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile measurement. In this study, smooth and bead‐free morphology with a uniform fiber diameter and optimal porosity level with appropriate pore size was observed for PCL/Gel/nHA nanocomposite scaffold. The results indicated that adding nHA to PCL/Gel caused an increase of the mechanical properties of scaffold. In addition, chemical interactions between PCL, gelatin, and nHA molecules were shown with XRD and FT‐IR in the composite scaffolds. MG‐63 cell line has been cultured on the fabricated composite scaffolds; the results of viability and adhesion of cells on the scaffolds have been confirmed using MTT and SEM analysis methods. Here in this study, the culture of the osteoblast cells on the scaffolds showed that the addition of Vit D3 to PCL/Gel/nHA scaffold caused further attachment and proliferation of the cells. Moreover, DAPI staining results showed that the presence and viability of the cells were greater in PCL/Gel/nHA/Vit D3 scaffold than in PCL/Gel/nHA and PCL/Gel scaffolds. The results also approved increasing cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity for MG‐63 cells cultured on PCL/Gel/nHA/Vit D3 scaffold. The results indicated superior properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and vitamin D3 incorporated in PCL/Gel scaffold for use in bone tissue engineering.     

Fast degradable poly(L‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) microspheres for tissue engineering: Synthesis,characterization, and degradation behavior

Polymeric scaffolds play a crucial role in engineering process of new tissues and effect the cell growth and viability. PLCL copolymers are found to be very useful during cell growth due to their elastic behavior and mechanical strength. Thus, low molecular weight PLCL copolymers of various ratios viz. PLCL(90/10), PLCL(75/25), PLCL(50/50) and PCL were synthesized by ring opening polymerization using stannous octoate as a catalyst. Synthesized polymers were characterized by GPC, ¹H‐NMR, FTIR and XRD. The thermal properties of the copolymers were studied using TGA and DSC. Microspheres of about 100 μm diameter were prepared for different copolymers and their in vitro degradation behaviors were studied up to 108 days. It was observed that degradation of PLA content in polymer backbone occurs faster than PCL component which is also indicated by corresponding change in ratios of PLA/PCL, as determined by ¹H‐NMR. SEM images of microspheres depicted the surface morphology during degradation and suggested the faster degradation for PLCL (50:50). Copolymers of different thermal, mechanical properties and different degradation behaviors can be prepared by adjusting the composition of copolymers. Various synthesized polymers from this work have been tested in our laboratory as polymeric scaffold for soft tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2755–2764, 2007     

The electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone)/fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanocomposite for bone tissue engineering

Biodegradable cell‐incorporated scaffolds can guide the regeneration process of bone defects such as physiological resorption, tooth loss, and trauma which medically, socially, and economically hurt patients. Here, 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) nanoparticles containing 25 wt% F^? and 75 wt% OH^? were incorporated into poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) matrix to produce PCL/FHA nanocomposite scaffolds using electrospinning method. Then, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to evaluate the morphology, phase structure, and functional groups of prepared electrospun scaffolds, respectively. Furthermore, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of electrospun scaffolds were investigated using the tensile test. Moreover, the biodegradation behavior of electrospun PCL/FHA scaffolds was studied by the evaluation of weight loss of mats and the alternation of pH in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) up to 30 days of incubation. Then, the biocompatibility of prepared mats was investigated by culturing MG‐63 osteoblast cell line and performing MTT assay. In addition, the adhesion of osteoblast cells on prepared electrospun scaffolds was studied using their SEM images. Results revealed that the fiber diameter of prepared electrospun PCL/FHA scaffolds alters between 700 and 900 nm. The mechanical assay illustrated the mat with 10 wt% FHA nanoparticles revealed the highest tensile strength and elastic modulus. The weight loss alternation of mats determined around 1% to 8% after 30 days of incubation. The biocompatibility and cell adhesion of mats improved by increasing the amounts of FHA nanoparticles.     

Hydrolytic degradation of poly(ε‐caprolactone) with different end groups and poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐γ‐butyrolactone): characterization and kinetics of hydrocortisone delivery

Asymmetric telechelic α‐hydroxyl‐ω‐(carboxylic acid)‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (HA‐PCL), α‐hydroxyl‐ω‐(benzylic ester)‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (HBz‐PCL), and an asymmetric telechelic copolymer α‐hydroxyl‐ω‐(carboxylic acid)‐poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐γ‐butyrolactone) (HA‐PCB) were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL). CL and CL/γ‐butyrolactone mixture were used to obtain homopolymers and copolymer respectively at 150°C and 2 hr using ammonium decamolybdate (NH₄) [Mo₁₀O₃₄] (Dec) as a catalyst. Water (HA‐PCL and HA‐PCB) or benzyl alcohol (HBz‐PCL) were used as initiators. The three polylactones reached initial molecular weights between 2000 and 3000 Da measured by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR). Compression‐molded polylactone caplets were allowed to degrade in 0.5 M aqueous p‐toluenesulfonic acid at 37°C and monitored up to 60 days for weight loss behavior. Data showed that the copolymer degraded faster than the PCL homopolymers, and that there was no difference in the weight loss behavior between HA‐PCL and HBz‐PCL. Caplets of the three polylactones containing 1% (w/w) hydrocortisone were placed in two different buffer systems, pH 5.0 with citrate buffer and pH 7.4 with phosphate buffer at 37°C, and monitored up to 50 days for their release behavior. The release profiles of hydrocortisone presented two stages. The introduction of a second monomer in the polymer chain significantly increased the release rate, the degradation rate for HA‐PCB being faster than those for HBz‐PCL and HA‐PCL. At the pH studied, only slight differences on the liberation profiles were observed. SEM micrographs indicate that hydrolytic degradation occurred mainly by a surface erosion mechanism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ε‐caprolactone) blocks in double crystalline triblock copolymers containing poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) units

The poly(3‐hydroxbutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) block copolymers (PHCLs) with three different weight ratios of PCL blocks (38%, named PHCL‐38; 53%, named PHCL‐53; and 60%, named PHCL‐60) were synthesized by using PHBV with two hydroxyl end groups to initiate ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone. During DSC cooling process, melt crystallization of PHCL‐53 at relatively high cooling rates (9, 12, and 15 °C min^?1) and PHCL‐60 at all the selected cooling rates corresponded to PCL blocks so that PHCL‐53 and PHCL‐60 were used to study the nonisothermal crystallization behaviors of PCL blocks. The kinetics of PCL blocks in PHCL‐53 and PHCL‐60 under nonisothermal crystallization conditions were analyzed by Mo equation. Mo equation was successful in describing the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PCL blocks in PHCLs. Crystallization activation energy were estimated using Kissinger's method. The results of kinetic parameters showed that both blocks crystallized more difficultly than corresponding homopolymers. With the increase of PCL content, the crystallization rate of PCL block increased gradually. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010     

POSS end‐linked peptide‐functionalized poly(ɛ‐caprolactone)s and their inclusion complexes with α‐cyclodextrin

In this report, we have synthesized organic/inorganic hybrid peptide–poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) conjugates via ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone (CL) in the presence of two sequence defined peptide initiators, namely POSS‐Leu‐Aib‐Leu‐NH₂ (POSS: polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; Leu: Leucine; Aib: α‐aminoisobutyric acid) and OMe‐Leu‐Aib‐Leu‐NH₂. Covalent attachment of peptide segments with the PCLs were examined by ¹H and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and FTIR spectroscopy. Supramolecular inclusion complexations of synthesized peptide‐PCL conjugates with α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CyD) were studied to understand the effect of POSS/OMe‐peptide moieties at the PCL chain ends. Inclusion complexation of peptide‐PCL conjugates with α‐CyD produced linear polypseudorotaxane, confirmed by ¹H NMR, FTIR, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Extent of α‐CyD threading onto the hybrid peptide‐PCL conjugated polymers is less than that of α‐CyD threaded onto the linear PCL. Thus, PCL chains were not fully covered by the host α‐CyD molecules due to the bulky POSS/OMe‐peptide moieties connected with the one edge of the PCL chains. PXRD experiment reveals channel like structures by the synthesized inclusion complexes (ICs). Spherulitic morphologies of POSS/OMe‐peptide‐PCL conjugates were fully destroyed after inclusion complexation with α‐CyD and tiny nanoobjects were produced. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3643–3651.     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined,amphiphilic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐ b‐[2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)]n graft copolymers by RAFT polymerization and macromonomer method

The well‐defined, thermosensitive and biodegradable graft copolymers, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐[2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)]_n (PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)_n) (n = 3 or 9), were synthesized by combining reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and macromonomer method. The copolymers were able to self‐assemble into micelles in water with low critical micellar concentration and demonstrated temperature sensitivity with a lower critical solution temperature at around 36 °C. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the micelles exhibit a nanosized spherical morphology within a size range of 30–100 nm. The PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)₃ copolymer exhibited biodegradation and low cytotoxicity. The paclitaxel‐loaded PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)₃ micelles displayed thermosensitive controlled release behavior, which indicates potential as drug carriers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5354–5364, 2007     

Enhancement of biocompatibility on aligned electrospun poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) scaffold immobilized with laminin towards murine neuroblastoma Neuro2a cell line and rat brain‐derived neural stem cells (mNSCs)

Electrospinning has been extensively used to construct tissue‐engineered scaffolds because of its ability to provide the fibrous scaffold with structurally analogous to the naturally occurring protein in the extracellular matrix of native tissues. In addition, the modification of scaffolds with bioactive molecules is beneficial as this can create an environment that consists of biochemical cues to further promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In the present contribution, we prepared and investigated the potential used of aligned electrospun poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) scaffold immobilized with bioactive molecule to serve as nervous scaffold. Laminin was successfully immobilized on the surface using covalent binding between functional groups of modified scaffolds and protein. The ability to use for neural regeneration was evaluated in vitro towards murine neuroblastoma Neuro2a cell line and mouse brain‐derived neural stem cells. The surface modification with laminin immobilized on the PHB fibrous scaffolds supported the attachment and promoted the proliferation of Neuro2a very wells. Despite the good attachment and proliferation of Neuro2a and mouse brain‐derived neural stem cells were not able to proliferate on the neat PHB, hydrolyzed PHB and laminin immobilized on hydrolyzed PHB fibrous scaffold.     

Novel Amphiphilic Degradable Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐graft‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine), Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐graft‐poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and Water‐Soluble Derivatives

New amphiphilic graft copolymers that have a poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable hydrophobic backbone and poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) or poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) hydrophilic side chains have been prepared by anionic polymerization of the corresponding 4VP and DMAEMA monomers using a PCL‐based macropolycarbanion as initiator. The water solubility of these amphiphilic copolymers is improved by quaternization, which leads to fully water‐soluble cationic copolymers that give micellar aggregates in deionized water with diameters ranging from 65 to 125 nm. In addition, to improve the hydrophilicity of PCL‐g‐P4VP, grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments has been carried out to give a water‐soluble double grafted PCL‐g‐(P4VP;PEG) terpolymer.

     

Reaction of β‐Bromo‐β,γ‐unsaturated Pyrroline Nitroxide Aldehydes and Nitriles with Aromatic N,S‐Binucleophiles

Reactions of β‐bromo‐β,γ‐unsaturated pyrroline nitroxide aldehyde ( 1 ) or nitrile ( 4 ) or their diamagnetic forms ( 5, 6 ) with 2‐aminothiophenol or 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole were evaluated. The reaction could be reproduced more easily with the application of O‐acetyl derivatives of nitroxides to generate 2‐substituted‐benzothiazole, pyrrolo[3,4‐b ]benzo[1,5]tiazepine scaffolds with 2‐aminothiophenol and benzimidazo[2,1‐b ]pyrrolo[3,4‐e ]‐[1,3]thiazine scaffold with 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole.     

Electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based composites using synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate

Non‐woven hybrid membranes based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and as‐synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) were obtained by the electrospinning technique. A wide range of composition was investigated, the filler content spanning between 2 and 60 wt%. The synthesis of the β‐TCP powder was accomplished by titration of calcium hydroxide with phosphoric acid followed by calcination of the resulting precipitate at 1100°C. The as‐dried calcium phosphate was characterized by Inductive Coupled Plasma (AES‐ICP), thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and high temperature X‐ray diffraction analysis (HT‐XRD). The specific surface area (SSA) was evaluated by N₂ adsorption. Microstructure of PCL/TCP membranes was investigated by SEM, energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), XRD analysis, and SSA measurements. The average fiber diameter ranged between 1 and 2 µm, the porosity was 80–90%, and the SSA 16 m²/g. Mechanical properties were determined by uniaxial tensile test. A remarkable enhancement of the tensile modulus was observed for composites containing up to 4 wt% β‐TCP. The ultimate tensile strength ranged between 2 and 3 MPa for samples loaded up to 8 wt%. For most of the samples, the elongation at break was in the range 100–150%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PEGylated poly(ester amide) elastomer scaffolds for soft tissue engineering

Biodegradable synthetic elastomers with tunable mechanical and physicochemical properties remain attractive materials for soft tissue engineering. We have recently synthesized novel poly(1,3‐diamino‐2‐hydroxypropane‐co‐glycerol sebacate)‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) (APS‐co‐PEG) biodegradable elastomers. This class of PEGylated elastomers has widely tunable mechanical and degradation properties compared wtih currently available biodegradable elastomers. To further investigate the biological application of this class of elastomers, we fabricated hybrid APS‐co‐PEG/polycaprolactone (PCL) porous scaffolds by electrospinning. The fiber morphology, chemical composition, mechanical properties, degradability, and cytocompatibility of hybrid APS‐co‐PEG/PCL electrospun scaffolds were characterized. These scaffolds exhibited a wide range of mechanical properties and similar cytocompatibility to PCL scaffolds. Importantly, PEGylation inhibited platelet adhesion on all APS‐co‐PEG/PCL electrospun scaffolds when compared with PCL and APS/PCL scaffolds, suggesting a potential role in mitigating thrombogenicity in vivo. Additionally, APS‐25PEG/PCL scaffolds were found to be mechanically analogous to human heart valve leaflet and supported attachment of human aortic valve cells. These results reveal that hybrid APS‐co‐PEG/PCL scaffolds may serve as promising constructs for soft tissue engineering, especially heart valve tissue engineering. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.