Evaluation of innate, humoral and cell-mediated immunity in mice following in vivo implantation of electrospun polycaprolactone

Electrospun polycaprolactone (EPCL) is currently being investigated for use in tissue engineering applications such as vascular grafts. However, the effects of electrospun polymers on systemic immune responses following in vivo exposure have not previously been examined. The work presented evaluates whether EPCL in either a microfibrous or nanofibrous form affects innate, humoral and/or cell-mediated immunity using a standard immunotoxicological testing battery. Holistic in vivo endpoints examined include the antibody-forming cell assay (AFC or plaque assay) and the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to Candida albicans. In addition, natural killer cell cytotoxic activity was assessed using an ex vivo assay and splenic cell population phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry for material exposure-related changes. Results indicated that 28 day subcutaneous implantation of EPCL, either in microfibrous or nanofibrous form, did not affect the systemic functions of the immune system in 12-16 week old female B6C3F1 mice.