A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of biodegradable, highly branched polycaprolactone (PCL) is presented. The solvent-free (bulk) reaction was carried out via ring opening polymerization (ROP), catalyzed by tin octanoate Sn(Oct)2, and it employed hyperbranched polyamide (HPPA) as a macro-initiator. The core-shell structure of the obtained products (PCL-HPPA), with the hyperbranched HPPA core and linear PCL chains as shell, was in the focus of the product characterization. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and elemental analysis confirmed the covalent incorporation of the HPPA in the products, as well as a high degree of grafting conversion of its amino functional groups. Confocal Raman Micro spectroscopy, and especially Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, further supported the existence of a core-shell structure in the products. Direct observation of macromolecules by means of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, as well as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), suggested the existence of a minor 'aggregated' product fraction with multiple HPPA cores, which was attributed to transesterification reactions. Differential scanning calorimetry, as well as X-ray diffraction, demonstrated that the PCL-HPPA polymers displayed a similar degree of crystallinity to linear neat PCL, but that the branched products possessed smaller and less regular crystallites.

• Klíčová slova
• biodegradable polymers, core–shell macromolecules, dendrimers, highly branched polymers, macro-initiators of polymerization, poly(caprolactone), star polymers,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Infection with pathogenic microorganisms is of great concern in many areas, especially in healthcare, but also in food packaging and storage, or in water purification systems. Antimicrobial polymer nanocomposites have gained great popularity in these areas. Therefore, this study focused on new approaches to develop thin antimicrobial films based on biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) with clay mineral natural vermiculite as a carrier for antimicrobial compounds, where the active organic antimicrobial component is antifungal ciclopirox olamine (CPX). For possible synergistic effects, a sample in combination with the inorganic antimicrobial active ingredient zinc oxide was also prepared. The structures of all the prepared samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, FTIR analysis and, predominantly, by SEM. The very different structure properties of the prepared nanofillers had a fundamental influence on the final structural arrangement of thin PCL nanocomposite films as well as on their mechanical, thermal, and surface properties. As sample PCL/ZnOVER_CPX possessed the best results for antimicrobial activity against examined microbial strains, the synergic effect of CPX and ZnO combination on antimicrobial activity was proved, but on the other hand, its mechanical resistance was the lowest.

• Klíčová slova
• antimicrobial activity, nanocomposites, polycaprolactone, thin films, vermiculite,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In the presented work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-PHB-based composite blends for bone medical applications and tissue engineering are prepared and characterized. PHB used for the work was in two cases commercial and, in one case, was extracted by the chloroform-free route. PHB was then blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL) and plasticized by oligomeric adipate ester (Syncroflex, SN). Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) particles were used as a bioactive filler. Prepared polymer blends were processed into the form of 3D printing filaments. The samples for all the tests performed were prepared by FDM 3D printing or compression molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was conducted to evaluate the thermal properties, followed by optimization of printing temperature by temperature tower test and determination of warping coefficient. Tensile test, three-point flexural test, and compression test were performed to study the mechanical properties of materials. Optical contact angle measurement was conducted to determine the surface properties of these blends and their influence on cell adhesion. Cytotoxicity measurement of prepared blends was conducted to find out whether the prepared materials were non-cytotoxic. The best temperatures for 3D printing were 195/190, 195/175, and 195/165 °C for PHB-soap/PLA-SN, PHB/PCL-SN, and PHB/PCL-SN-TCP, respectively. Their mechanical properties (strengths ~40 MPa, moduli ~2.5 GPa) were comparable with human trabecular bone. The calculated surface energies of all blends were ~40 mN/m. Unfortunately, only two out of three materials were proven to be non-cytotoxic (both PHB/PCL blends).

• Klíčová slova
• 3D printing, FDM, biocompatibility, bone tissue engineering, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, scaffold,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The alveolar-capillary interface is the key functional element of gas exchange in the human lung, and disruptions to this interface can lead to significant medical complications. However, it is currently challenging to adequately model this interface in vitro, as it requires not only the co-culture of human alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells but mainly the preparation of a biocompatible scaffold that mimics the basement membrane. This scaffold should support cell seeding from both sides, and maintain optimal cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation conditions. Our study investigates the use of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a versatile substrate for such cell cultures, aiming to model the alveolar-capillary interface more accurately. We optimized nanofiber production parameters, utilized polyamide mesh UHELON as a mechanical support for scaffold handling, and created 3D-printed inserts for specialized co-cultures. Our findings confirm that PCL nanofibrous scaffolds are manageable and support the co-culture of diverse cell types, effectively enabling cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. Our research establishes a proof-of-concept model for the alveolar-capillary interface, offering significant potential for enhancing cell-based testing and advancing tissue-engineering applications that require specific nanofibrous matrices.

• Klíčová slova
• alveolar‐capillary interface, electrospinning, nanofibers, polycaprolactone (PCL), scaffold, tissue engineering,
• MeSH
• bazální membrána MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nanovlákna * chemie   MeSH
• ověření koncepční studie MeSH
• plicní alveoly * chemie   cytologie   MeSH
• polyestery * chemie   MeSH
• tkáňové inženýrství * metody   MeSH
• tkáňové podpůrné struktury * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery * MeSH

Nanofibrous materials present unique properties favorable in many biomedicine and industrial applications. In this research we evaluated biodegradation, tissue response and general toxicity of nanofibrous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds produced by conventional method of electrospinning and using NanoMatrix3D® (NM3D® ) technology. Mass density, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro degradation (static and dynamic) were used for material characterization, and subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal implantation - for in vivo tests. Biochemical blood analysis and histology were used to assess toxicity and tissue response. Pore size and fiber diameter did not differ in conventional and NM3D® PLA and PCL materials, but mass density was significantly lower in NM3D® ones. Scaffolds made by conventional method showed toxic effect during the in-vivo tests due to residual concentration of chloroform that released with material degradation. NM3D® method allowed cleaning scaffolds from residual solutions that made them nontoxic and biocompatible. Subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal implantation of PCL and PLA NM3D® electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds showed their appropriate cell conductive properties, tissue and vessels formation in all sites. Thus, NM3D® PCL and PLA nanofibrous electrospun scaffolds can be used in the field of tissue engineering, surgery, wound healing, drug delivery, and so forth, due to their unique properties, nontoxicity and biocompatibility. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2200-2212, 2018.

• Klíčová slova
• NanoMatrix3D®, PCL, PLA, electrospinning, nanofibers,
• MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• nanočástice toxicita   MeSH
• nanovlákna toxicita   MeSH
• orgánová specificita účinky léků   MeSH
• polyestery toxicita   MeSH
• tkáňové podpůrné struktury chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• poly(lactide) MeSH Prohlížeč
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH

Polycaprolactone nanofibers are used as scaffolds in the field of tissue engineering for tissue regeneration or drug delivery. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable hydrophobic polyester used to obtain implantable nanostructures, which are clinically applicable due to their biological safety. Polydatin (PD), a glycosidic precursor of resveratrol, is known for its antioxidant, antitumor, antiosteoporotic, and bone regeneration activities. We aimed to use the osteogenic capacity of polydatin to create a biomimetic innovative and patented scaffold consisting of PCL-PD for bone tissue engineering. Both osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to test the in vitro cytocompatibility of the PD-PCL scaffold. Reverse-phase (RP) HPLC was used to evaluate the timing release of PD from the PCL-PD nanofibers and the MTT assay, scanning electron microscopy, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were used to evaluate the proliferation, adhesion, and cellular differentiation in both osteosarcoma and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on PD-PCL nanofibers. The proliferation of osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2) on the PD-PCL scaffold decreased when compared to cells grown on PLC nanofibers, whereas the proliferation of MSCs was comparable in both PCL and PD-PCL nanofibers. Noteworthy, after 14 days, the ALP activity was higher in both Saos-2 cells and MSCs cultivated on PD-PCL than on empty scaffolds. Moreover, the same cells showed a spindle-shaped morphology after 14 days when grown on PD-PCL as shown by SEM. In conclusion, we provide evidence that nanofibers appropriately coated with PD support the adhesion and promote the osteogenic differentiation of both human osteosarcoma cells and MSCs.

• Klíčová slova
• mesenchymal stem cells, osteogenic differentiation, osteosarcoma, polycaprolactone nanofibers, polydatin,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In this study, biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers (PCL-NF), collagen-coated PCL nanofibers (Col-c-PCL), and titanium dioxide-incorporated PCL (TiO2-i-PCL) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique to study the surface and structural compatibility of these scaffolds for skin tisuue engineering. Collagen coating over the PCL nanofibers was done by electrospinning process. Morphology of PCL nanofibers in electrospinning was investigated at different voltages and at different concentrations of PCL. The morphology, interaction between different materials, surface property, and presence of TiO2 were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurement, energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). MTT assay and cell adhesion study were done to check biocompatibilty of these scaffolds. SEM study confirmed the formation of nanofibers without beads. FTIR proved presence of collagen on PCL scaffold, and contact angle study showed increment of hydrophilicity of Col-c-PCL and TiO2-i-PCL due to collagen coating and incorporation of TiO2, respectively. EDX and XPS studies revealed distribution of entrapped TiO2 at molecular level. MTT assay and cell adhesion study using L929 fibroblast cell line proved viability of cells with attachment of fibroblasts over the scaffold. Thus, in a nutshell, we can conclude from the outcomes of our investigational works that such composite can be considered as a tissue engineered construct for skin wound healing.

• Klíčová slova
• PCL, compatibility study, composites, electrospinning, skin tissue engineering,
• MeSH
• biokompatibilní materiály chemie   MeSH
• buněčná adheze fyziologie   MeSH
• fibroblasty chemie   MeSH
• fotoelektronová spektroskopie metody   MeSH
• hydrofobní a hydrofilní interakce MeSH
• kolagen chemie   MeSH
• kůže chemie   MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   MeSH
• polyestery chemie   MeSH
• povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
• titan chemie   MeSH
• tkáňové inženýrství metody   MeSH
• tkáňové podpůrné struktury MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biokompatibilní materiály MeSH
• kolagen MeSH
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH
• titan MeSH
• titanium dioxide MeSH Prohlížeč

The increasing use of plastics in human activities has resulted in an enormous amount of residues which became a matter of great environmental concern. Scientific studies on the microbial degradation of natural and synthetic molecules show the potential of fungal application on cleaning technologies. The biodegradation of PCL (polycaprolactone) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) films by Aspergillus brasiliensis (ATCC 9642), Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 11797), Chaetomium globosum (ATCC 16021), Trichoderma virens (ATCC 9645), and Paecilomyces variotii (ATCC 16023) was studied. According to ISO 846-1978-"Testing of Plastics - Influence of fungi and bacteria", samples of the studied polymers were inoculated with a mix suspension of 106 fungal inoculum and maintained in moisture glass chambers in a bacteriological incubator at 28 °C for 28 days. The samples were analyzed by means of morphological and color changes, mass loss, optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 28 days of culturing. After the incubation period, visual observations of the PCL films showed many micropores and cracks, pigmentation, surface erosion and hyphal adhesion on the sample surfaces, and a mass loss of up to 75%. On the contrary, there was no evidence of PVC biodegradation, such as changes in color and significant mass loss. Chaetomium globosum ATCC 16021 was a pioneer in the colonization and attack of PCL, resulting in significant mass losses. Although PVC was less attacked by the ascomycete, the polymer supported the adhesion and growth of its fertile structures (perithecia), suggesting the fungal potential to degrade both plastics.

• MeSH
• biodegradace MeSH
• Chaetomium růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• houby metabolismus   MeSH
• hyfy růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• polyestery metabolismus   MeSH
• polyvinylchlorid metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH
• polyvinylchlorid MeSH

Recent complications on the use of polypropylene meshes for hernia repair has led to the development of meshes or films, which were based on resorbable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). These materials are able to create suitable bioactive environment for the growth and development of cells. In this research, we mainly focused on the relations among structure, mechanical performance and biocompatiblity of PCL/PLA and PCL/PLGA and blends prepared by solution casting. The films were characterized regarding the chemical structure, morphology, physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility and cell growth. All the films showed high tensile strength ranging from 9.5 to 11.8 MPa. SAXS showed that the lamellar stack structure typical for PCL was present even in the blend films while the morphological parameters of the stacks varied slightly with the content of PLGA or PLA in the blends. WAXS indicated preferential orientation of crystallites (and thus, also the lamellar stacks) in the blend films. In vitro studies revealed that PCL/PLGA films displayed better cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation than PCL/PLA and PCL films. Further the effect of blending on the degradation was investigated, to understand the significant variable within the process that could provide further control of cell adhesion. The results showed that the investigated blend films are promising materials for biomedical applications.

• Klíčová slova
• Biocompatibility, Mechanical properties, Nanoscale morphology, Polycaprolactone, Resorbable blends,
• MeSH
• difrakce rentgenového záření MeSH
• glykoly * MeSH
• kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné MeSH
• maloúhlový rozptyl MeSH
• polyestery MeSH
• vstřebatelné implantáty * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glykoly * MeSH
• kopolymer kyseliny glykolové a mléčné MeSH
• poly(lactide) MeSH Prohlížeč
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop functionalized nanofibres as a simple delivery system for growth factors (GFs) and make nanofibre cell-seeded scaffold implants a one-step intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibres with thrombocytes adherent on them. Immobilized, these thrombocytes attached to nanofibre scaffolds were used as a nanoscale delivery system for native (autologous) proliferation and differentiation factors, in vitro. Pig chondrocytes were seeded on the thrombocyte-coated scaffolds and levels of proliferation and differentiation of these cells were compared with those seeded on non-coated scaffolds. RESULTS: Immobilized thrombocytes on PCL nanofibres effectively enhanced chondrocyte proliferation due to time-dependent degradation of thrombocytes and release of their GFs. CONCLUSIONS: These simply functionalized scaffolds present new possibilities for nanofibre applications, as smart cell scaffolds equipped with a GF delivery tool.

• MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace MeSH
• chondrocyty cytologie   MeSH
• imobilizované buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• mezibuněčné signální peptidy a proteiny aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   MeSH
• nosiče léků chemie   MeSH
• polyestery chemie   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• proliferace buněk MeSH
• trombocyty cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mezibuněčné signální peptidy a proteiny MeSH
• nosiče léků MeSH
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH