Biomimetic hierarchical nanofibrous surfaces inspired by superhydrophobic lotus leaf structure for preventing tissue adhesions

Undesirable tissue adhesions remain one of the most common and dreaded postoperative complications. Biocompatible nanofibrous mats with antiadhesive surfaces represent a promising barrier method for preventing the formation of adhesions. The material developed in this work was inspired by the natural superhydrophobic lotus leaf nanostructure, which was mimicked by a unique combination of needleless electrospraying and electrospinning technology of poly-e-caprolactone (PCL). The surface hydrophobicity of electrosprayed nanodroplets was further enhanced by cold plasma modification using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The treatment led to a successful decrease in surface wettability of our samples. Morphology (scanning electron microscopy), wettability (contact angle) and chemical composition (FTIR analysis) were observed for a period of six months to track possible changes; the obtained results verified the presence of HMDSO during the whole time period. Cytocompatibility was confirmed in vitro with 3T3 mouse fibroblasts according to the norm ISO 10993-5. Cell adhesion and proliferation were assessed in vitro by metabolic MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy after 4, 7, and 14 days. Antiadhesive behaviour was confirmed by atomic force microscopy

Automated summary

This study developed biocompatible nanofibrous mats with antiadhesive surfaces inspired by the lotus leaf nanostructure. A combination of needleless electrospraying and electrospinning technology was used to mimic the structure, and the surface hydrophobicity was enhanced by cold plasma modification using a chemical vapor deposition method. The material's morphology, wettability, and chemical composition were observed over a period of six months, and cytocompatibility and antiadhesive behavior were confirmed through in vitro tests.