Electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin nanofiber composites and cross-linking for bone tissue engineering application

A three-dimensional polymer composite system consisting of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin (PVA/GE) was fabricated via the electrospinning method and physically cross linked by methanol treatment. The effects of cross-linking between PVA/GE blend on physical, mechanical, and biological properties were investigated. After treating with methanol, PVA/GE mats become dense, hard, and aggregative with increased resistance to water dissolution. Osteoblasts like MG-63 cells were seeded on the surfaces of the cross linked PVA/GE mats and were found to attach firmly by expressing philopodial extensions. In addition, MTT assay and Western Blot analysis confirmed that the cells readily proliferated on the cross linked PVA/GE scaffolds. The osteoblast cell-matrix interaction demonstrated that the active biocompatibility of the mats was facilitated by using GE and cross-linking. In conclusion, our results suggest that cross-linked PVA/GE scaffolds hold promise for tissue engineering applications, especially in the field of artificial bone implant.