Characteristics of Heparin-functionalized Porous PLGA Scaffold for Tissue Regeneration

Statement of Purpose: The aim of this study is to develop highly functional biomimetic scaffolds with specific bioactivity by using novel porogen and plasma treatment for cartilage tissue engineering. Solid hydrogen peroxide compounds, such as urea hydrogen peroxide and sodium percarbonate are well-known commercial products used as a bleaching agent, antiseptic and disinfectant. Urea hydrogen peroxide is an odorless, nontoxic and white crystalline powder which releases hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) locally on application. It is highly soluble in water and has both the character of H2O2 and urea. The hypothesis is the use of solid H2O2 as a novel porogen would be beneficial in making 3D porous and functional scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The additional application of heparin, a polysaccharide macromolecule associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix, can specifically bind with numerous biologically proteins such as growth factors, thereby playing an essential role in the regulation of various biological signaling. Therefore, heparin-grafted scaffolds can create a more biomimetic microenvironment in the body for functional tissue regeneration. In this study, porous PLGA scaffolds were fabricated using a gas forming technique with urea hydrogen peroxide as a novel porogen. The surface of the scaffold was then grafted with heparin. The physical and biological properties of the protein modified scaffold were investigated.