An electrospun degradable scaffold based on a novel hydrophilic polyester for tissue-engineering applications

Scaffolds based on a novel functionalized polyester, pHMGCL, are electrospun and characterized morphologically and physically. In vitro degradation studies of pHMGCL films show considerable mass loss and molecular weight reduction within 70 weeks. Scaffolds composed of fibers with uniform diameter (≈ 900 nm) and with melting temperatures higher than body temperature are prepared. As an indication for the feasibility of this material for regenerative medicine approaches, articular chondrocytes are seeded onto electrospun pHMGCL scaffolds. Chondrocytes attach to the fibers and re-differentiate as demonstrated by the production of GAG and collagen type II within four weeks of in vitro culture. Hydrophilic pHMGCL scaffolds may thus be useful for tissue engineering applications.