短纤维/水凝胶复合气管软骨环状支架的制备及性能研究

Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Short Fiber/Hydrogel Composite Tracheal Cartilage Ring-Shaped Scaffolds

摘要: 目的：开发机械性能良好的仿生三维环状气管软骨复合支架，用于组织工程气管的构建。方法：通过同轴静电纺丝技术制备PLGA/GelMA短纤维，并将其加入ChSMA和PEGNB水凝胶体系，将复合体系加入环形模具，经365 nm紫外光照射固化、冻干后得到短纤维/水凝胶复合支架。通过观察表面形态、拉伸–压缩力学实验以及接触角实验评估支架的性能，探究短纤维的加入对支架的优化效果。结果：短纤维的掺入增加了支架表面孔隙结构的连续性和均匀性，并提高了支架的孔隙率；拉伸和压缩力学实验结果显示，短纤维的掺入增强了支架的拉伸和压缩模量，且随着短纤维含量的增加，支架的力学性能呈增强趋势；接触角实验显示，短纤维/水凝胶复合支架相较于单纯的水凝胶支架具有更好的亲水性。结论：短纤维/水凝胶复合支架相比于单纯的水凝胶支架具有更高的孔隙率、更优异的力学性能及更强的亲水性。该复合支架体系为组织工程气管支架的设计提供了前沿思路。

Abstract: Objective: A biomimetic 3D annular tracheal cartilage composite scaffold with excellent mechanical properties was developed for tissue-engineered trachea construction. Methods: PLGA/GelMA short fibers were prepared by coaxial electrospinning and incorporated into a hydrogel matrix of ChSMA and PEGNB. The composite precursor was loaded into an annular mold, photocrosslinked under 365 nm UV light, and freeze-dried to obtain the short fiber/hydrogel composite scaffold. Scaffold performance was evaluated via morphological observation, tensile and compressive mechanical tests, and contact angle measurements, so as to explore the optimization effect of short fiber incorporation on the scaffold. Results: The incorporation of short fibers improved the continuity and uniformity of the surface pore structure of the scaffold and increased its porosity. Tensile and compressive mechanical test results demonstrated that the incorporation of short fibers significantly enhanced the tensile modulus and compressive modulus of the scaffold, and the mechanical properties of the scaffold showed an increasing trend with the increase of short fiber content. Contact angle measurements indicated that the short fiber/hydrogel composite scaffold exhibited superior hydrophilicity compared to the pure hydrogel scaffold. Conclusion: Compared with the pure hydrogel scaffold, the short fiber/hydrogel composite scaffold has higher porosity, more excellent mechanical properties and stronger hydrophilicity, which provides a reliable structural basis for its application in tissue-engineered trachea construction.