A core-shell Electrospun Scaffold of polyhydroxybutyrate-starch/halloysite Nanotubes Containing Extracellular Matrix and Chitosan for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering Application

Abstract

Electrospinning is known as a versatile technique for articular cartilage tissue regeneration (ACTR) due to its excellent potential to produce a fibrous scaffold that mimics the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native tissue. However, there is a need to promote the biological performance of scaffolds maintaining their mechanical strength. In this study, a core-shell polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-starch/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) @ chitosan (Cs)-ECM scaffold was prepared via the coaxial electrospinning technique. The results exhibited a narrower nanofiber diameter of up to 164 +/- 24 nm. Additionally, after combining Cs and ECM, the pore size and porosity increased by 9.01 +/- 1.82 nm and 85.36, respectively. Moreover, the core-shell scaffold showed an enhanced Young's modulus up to 4.45 +/- 0.1 MPa that could support chondrocyte cell growth. After that, the wettability and in vitro degradability of the core-shell scaffold were induced due to the hydrophilic nature of shell components. Also, chondrocyte cells had more viability and attachment on the core-shell structure proving the potential of core-shell nanofibers for biomedical applications. In conclusion, the results showed that the core-shell structured PHB-starch/HNTs @ Cs-ECM could be a suitable candidate for further trial towards ACTR.