Assessment of Electrospun PCL and PLA Fiber Scaffolds to Generate 3D Colorectal Cancer Models

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24(11), 9443 (2023) · MDPI · Open access, CC BY
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119443

Summary

Three-dimensional scaffold culture is gaining ground in oncology, where flat cultures fail to reproduce how tumours actually behave. This study evaluates electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(lactic acid) scaffolds as the basis for a 3D model of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Meshes were collected at three drum speeds - 500, 1000 and 2500 rpm - and their physico-mechanical and morphological properties compared, since rotation speed governs fibre diameter, alignment and mesh porosity. Relating those parameters to cell behaviour identifies which fibre architecture best supports a realistic tumour model.

Authors & Affiliations

  • Claudio Ricci Corresponding
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Bahareh Azimi
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Luca Panariello
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Benedetta Antognoli
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Beatrice Cecchini
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Roberta Rovelli
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Meruyert Rustembek
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
  • Patrizia Cinelli
    Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy

Linari Electrospinning Systems

Electrospinning bench apparatus with Easy Drum
The PCL and PLA meshes were fabricated on an electrospinning bench apparatus (Linari Engineering S.r.l., Pisa, Italy) with a rotating drum collector operated at 500, 1000 and 2500 rpm - the speed range of the Easy Drum rotary system, which is what allows fibre alignment to be used as an experimental variable.

Topics

3D Tumor Models Colorectal Cancer Fiber Alignment Scaffold Porosity

Materials

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Poly(lactic acid)
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