Long-term hydrolytic degradation study on polymer-based embroidered scaffolds for ligament tissue engineering

Following anterior cruciate ligament injury, a mechanically stable tissue replacement is required for knee stability and to avoid subsequent damages. Tissue engineering of the anterior cruciate ligament demands a biocompatible scaffold with a controllable degradation profile to provide mechanical support for 3 to 6 months. It has been argued that embroidered textile scaffolds made of polylactic acid and poly(lactic-co-ɛ-caprolactone) fibres are a promising approach for the ligament tissue engineering with an adapted functionalization and cell seeding strategy. Therefore, the hydrolytic degradation behaviour of embroidered scaffolds made of polylactic acid and a combination of polylactic acid and poly(lactic-co-ɛ-caprolactone) fibres was investigated under physiological conditions for 168 days. The changes in the mechanical behaviour, the molecular weights as well as the surface structures were analysed. Sufficient mechanical properties comparable to native anterior cruciate ligament tissue could be demonstrated for scaffolds made of polylactic acid fibres after 6 months under hydrolysis. These results clarify the potential of using embroidered scaffolds for ligament tissue engineering.