Development of Gelatin Nanofiber Scaffold by Electrospinning Method

<p>Since gelatin has excellent biocompatibility and nanofiber scaffold has similar structure to extracellular matrix, it is expected that gelatin nanofiber scaffold is effective for tissue engineering. However, it is considered that gelatin nanofiber is difficult to function as scaffolds because gelatin is water-soluble and nanofiber structure has a large specific surface area. In this study, the fabricating conditions were optimized to develop gelatin nanofiber scaffold that has water resistance and high cell activity. The scaffolds were fabricated by an electrospinning method under different solution temperature (25, 40 and 60°C) and target temperature (25, 40, 60 and 80°C). Gelatin nanofiber scaffolds were cross-linked with saturated glutaraldehyde (GTA) vapor at room temperature for 3, 6 and 12 hours. According to SEM images, the scaffolds crosslinked for 6 and 12 hours maintained their nanofibrous structure after immersion in distilled water at 37°C for 14 days. Results of DSC and FTIR showed cross-link was most accelerated for the scaffolds fabricated under solution temperature/target temperature 40°C/40°C. Cytotoxicity of GTA was evaluated by observing adherent cells stained with DAPI using a multiphoton excitation microscopy. The number of adherent cells decreased from 6 hours of cross-linking time to 12 hours of cross-linking time. These results showed that the gelatin nanofiber scaffold fabricated under solution temperature/target temperature 40°C/40°C and 6 hours of cross-linking time had cell activity and water resistance.</p>