Aminosilane Functionalised Aligned Fibre PCL Scaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Repair.

Silane modification is a simple and cost-effective tool to modify existing biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Aminosilane layer deposition has previously been shown to control NG108-15 neuronal cell, and primary Schwann cell adhesion and differentiation, controlling deposition of -NH groups at the submicron scale, across the entirety of a surface, by varying silane chain length. We report on the first study to deposit 11-aminoundecyltriethoxysilane (CL11) onto aligned PCL scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. Fibres were manufactured via electrospinning and characterised using water contact angle measurements, AFM and XPS. Confirmed modified fibres were investigated using in vitro cell culture of NG108-15 neuronal cells and primary Schwann cells, to determine cell viability, cell differentiation and phenotype. CL11 modified fibres significantly supported NG108-15 neuronal cell and Schwann cell viability, NG108-15 neuronal cell differentiation and maintained Schwann cell phenotype compared to unmodified PCL fibre scaffolds. 3D Ex vivo culture of Dorsal root ganglion explants (DRGs) confirmed further Schwann cell migration, and longer neurite outgrowth from DRG explants cultured on CL11 fibre scaffolds compared to unmodified scaffolds. Thus, we report on a reproducible and cost-effective tool to modify biomaterials with functional amine groups that can significantly improve nerve guidance devices and enhance nerve regeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.