Fabrication and Properties of the Electrospun Polylactide/Silk Fibroin-Gelatin Composite Tubular Scaffold

In this study, a tubular scaffold composed of polylactide fibers (outside layer) and silk fibroin-gelatin fibers (inner layer) was fabricated successfully by electrospinning. Morphological, biomechanical, and dissolvable properties of the composite scaffolds were examined, in particular, biocompatibility of the scaffolds were evaluated in vitro and in vivo by means of cell culture and subcutaneous implantation test. The PLA/SF-gelatin tubular scaffolds, with porosity of approximately 82 ± 2%, possessed appropriate breaking strength (2.21 ± 0.18 MPa), pliability (60.58 ± 1.23%), and suture retention strength (4.58 ± 0.62 N). The burst pressure strength of the composite scaffolds reached 1596 ± 20 mmHg, which is much greater than that of the native vessels. The composite scaffolds could hardly dissolve in the water; the water-dissolved rate was only 0.3 ± 0.1%. MTT assay and SEM observation indicated that both 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells could adhere, spread, and prolife...