Nanocellulose and Elastin Act as Plasticizers of Electrospun Bioinspired Scaffolds

In this work, we produced cross-linked electrospun hybrid scaffolds composed of gelatin/poly-D,L-lactide, gelatin/poly-D,L-lactide/nanocellulose and gelatin/poly-D,L-lactide/cellulose nanocrystals/elastin. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography demonstrated the complete embedding of each com-ponent in the hybrid scaffolds. Degree of cross-linking was quantified by using a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid assay and Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy revealed the effectiveness of cross-linking reaction. Noteworthy, the interconnected porous structure revelead in un-cross-linked scaffolds endured even after cross-linking. Scaffolds were characterized in water through contact angle showing total wettability. We throughout investigated mechanical properties by Uniaxial Tensile Testing showing that even in the dry-state nanocellulose and elastin containing scaffolds exhibit higher elongation at rupture compared to pure gelatin/poly-D,L-lactide. Therefore, we succeed in tuning the toughness of the scaffolds by modulating composition. In order to use scaffolds as medical devices, we assayed fibroblasts on scaffolds extraction media establishing that they were non-cytotoxic. Finally the attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts on the surface of different scaffolds was evaluated