Decellularized human amniotic membrane reinforced by MoS ₂ -Polycaprolactone nanofibers, a novel conductive scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering

In order to regenerate myocardial tissues with functional characteristics, we need to copy some properties of the myocardium, such as its extracellular matrix and electrical conductivity. In this study, we synthesized nanosheets of Molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ), and integrated them into polycaprolactone (PCL) and electrospun on the surface of decellularized human amniotic membrane (DHAM) with the purpose of improving the scaffolds mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. For in vitro studies, we seeded the mouse embryonic cardiac cells, mouse Embryonic Cardiac Cells (mECCs), on the scaffolds and then studied the MoS ₂ nanocomposites by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, we characterized the DHAM/PCL and DHAM/PCL-MoS ₂ by SEM, transmission electron microscopy, water contact angle measurement, electrical conductivity, and tensile test. Besides, we confirmed the scaffolds are biocompatible by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT assay. Furthermore, by means of SEM images, it was shown that mECCs attached to the DHAM/PCL-MoS ₂ scaffold have more cell aggregations and elongated morphology. Furthermore, through the Real-Time PCR and immunostaining studies, we found out cardiac genes were maturated and upregulated, and they also included GATA-4, c-TnT, NKX 2.5, and alpha-myosin heavy chain in cells cultured on DHAM/PCL-MoS ₂ scaffold in comparison to DHAM/PCL and DHAM. Therefore, in terms of cardiac tissue engineering, DHAM nanofibrous scaffolds reinforced by PCL-MoS ₂ can be suggested as a proper candidate.