AB173. Fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix formation in the 3D fiber-deposited polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold for tunica albuginea replacement

Objective: To investigate the effects of growth factors fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix formation in the 3D fiber-deposited polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold fabricated by 3D printing technique for tissue engineering applications of tunica albuginea.

Methods: PCL scaffold was fabricated by 3D bioprinting system. For in vitro cell study, scaffolds were seeded with human fibroblast cell at 5×105 cells and were cultured for up to 2 weeks. Cell survival and cell proliferation were monitored by EZ-cytox assay. The effect of growth factors on the extracellular matrix formation was evaluated by fastin elastin assay and enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Results: SEM images showed the surface morphology of PCL scaffolds. Human fibroblasts were grown on 3D PCL scaffolds in the presence/absence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). bFGF or TGF-β1 stimulated proliferation of fibroblasts and also increased collagen and elastin formation in vitro study.

Conclusions: This study shows that bFGF or TGF-β1 modulates the fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix formation in the 3D PCL scaffold.

Keywords: 3D polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold; growth factor; fibroblast; tunica albuginea