Cryo-Electrospinning Generates Highly Porous Fiber Scaffolds Which Improves Trabecular Meshwork Cell Infiltration

Crouch DJ, Sheridan CM, et al.

Journal of Functional Biomaterials

University of Liverpool

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study compared conventional and cryogenic electrospinning techniques to fabricate poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fiber scaffolds for mimicking the human trabecular meshwork. Cryogenic electrospinning introduced dry ice into the collector mandrel to create ice crystals, increasing pore size and porosity, while tensile testing showed lower modulus and yield stress for cryo-PCL. In vitro tests with trabecular meshwork cells revealed 10-fold higher infiltration in cryo-PCL scaffolds, demonstrating enhanced 3D migration and tissue-mimicking properties for glaucoma research.

Mechanical characterization was performed using a CellScale UniVert mechanical testing system (Waterloo, ON, Canada) in tensile mode with a 1 N load cell and a strain rate of 10% strain/min. Rectangular PCL and cryo-PCL scaffolds were tested to failure, and the UniVert provided stress–strain data to determine Young’s modulus and yield stress, confirming reduced stiffness and strength due to increased porosity.

AUTHORS

Devon J. Crouch; Carl M. Sheridan; Julia G. Behnsen; Raechelle A. D’Sa; Lucy A. Bosworth.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Journal of Functional Biomaterials

YEAR

2023

INSTITUTIONS

University of Liverpool

COUNTRIES

United Kingdom

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Tensile Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Membranes and Thin Films MechanicsOphthalmic Biomechanics & Corneal Tissue EngineeringPolymers and Elastomers TestingScaffold Mechanical Testing

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