Effect of poly(ε-caprolactone) microfibers in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) based bone fixation plate on preventing dimensional shrinkage and promoting cell interactions

Abstract Owing to numerous merits, Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based materials exhibit great potential in orthopedic application. However, the inherent low stiffness, poor dimensional stability and weak cell interaction are still obstacles to fulfill the role in practical application. In this study, we reported a facile production of PLGA/Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) bone fixation plate with enhanced mechanical and cell adhesion properties by the micro-injection process. The in-situ fibrillation of PCL at high injection rate constructed unique parent-daughter fibril morphology, which promoted the interaction of the interfaces between the PLGA and PCL. Impressively, the tensile modulus of the as-prepared fixation plate increased from 25.64 MPa to 98.08 MPa and maintained its original dimension after 40 days immersion in aqueous conditions. The well oriented PCL fibrils with high crystallinity served as barrier in prevention of the slip PLGA molecular chain as well as the invasion of water molecules, which played a key role in promoting cell proliferation. The comprehensive properties of PLGA/PCL fixation plate not only pave a new way to enhance the short-term cell attachment/proliferation in PLGA-based materials, but also inspire the designing principle for the modification of future bone tissue engineering products.