Development of polyurethane nanofibers scaffold for vaginal tissue engineering

 Vaginal reconstruction is the choice medical approach in many congenital abnormalities, injuries, or cancers. Reconstructive techniques applying non-vaginal tissues can be associated with more complications. In special situations such as dilatation failure or large defects, surgical vaginoplasty is recommended. In this regard the main challenge is the lack of sufficient native tissue to reconstruct the organ.

 In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds of elastomeric polyurethane (PU) were fabricated by electrospinning. The physical and chemical properties of the scaffolds were characterized. The toxicity and biocompatibility of each scaffold was evaluated by the MTT assay using human vaginal epithelial cells (HVECs). Cell homing, proliferation and cytokeratine expression was evaluated on the scaffolds by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and fluorescent staining, respectively.

Polyurethane nanofibers diameter and porosity of scaffold were 322±176 nm and 80%±2%, respectively. After 120 days of degradation, the average weight loss of scaffold was 2.3%. The SEM image also preserves the structural integrity of the fibers but shows small white dots on the nanofibers. SEM microscopy images, MTT assay and H&E staining showed adhesion, viability and prolifration of epithelial cells on the scaffold. Finally, the cytokeratine expression of these cells was confirmed by fluorescent staining on the polyurethane nanofibers scaffold.

The results showed that PC-3575A polyurethane nanofibers scaffold has good potential for vaginal tissue engineering.