Electrospun Antibacterial Composites for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Implantation of biomaterials capable of the controlled release of antibacterials during articular cartilage repair may prevent postoperative infections. Herein, biomaterials are prepared with biomimetic architectures (nonwoven mats of fibers) via electrospinning that are composed of poly(e-caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), and Bombyx mori silk fibroin (with varying ratios) and, optionally, an antibiotic drug (cefixime trihydrate). The composition, morphology, and mechanical properties of the nanofibrous mats are characterized using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile testing. The nonwoven mats have nanoscale fibers (typical diameters of 324-725 nm) and are capable of controlling the release profiles of the drug, with antibacterial activity against Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria (two common strains of human pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) under in vitro static conditions. The drug loaded nanofiber mats display cytocompatibility comparable to pure poly(e-caprolactone) nanofibers when cultured with National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIH-3T3 fibroblast cell line and have long-term potential for clinical applications in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

Automated summary

The implantation of biomaterials capable of controlled release of antibacterials during cartilage repair can prevent postoperative infections. In this study, biomaterials with biomimetic architectures were prepared through electrospinning, composed of poly(e-caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), and Bombyx mori silk fibroin, along with an antibiotic drug. The nanofibrous mats showed nanoscale fibers and controlled release profiles of the drug, exhibiting antibacterial activity against common strains of human pathogenic bacteria. The drug loaded nanofiber mats demonstrated cytocompatibility comparable to pure poly(e-caprolactone) nanofibers and potential for clinical applications.