FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROSPUN TECOPHILIC SCAFFOLDS FOR GENE DELIVERY

 
 
 
 

FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROSPUN TECOPHILIC SCAFFOLDS FOR GENE DELIVERY

Show full item record


Title: FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROSPUN TECOPHILIC SCAFFOLDS FOR GENE DELIVERY
Author: Williams, Tasha R.
Description: An effective gene therapy wound healing device should have characteristics similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM). To mimic the ECM, delivery devices should be permeable, fibrous structures capable of releasing DNA to cells for transfection. Therefore, plasmid DNA (pDNA) and linear polyethylenimine complexed pDNA (LPEI-pDNA) loaded electrospun Tecophilic® scaffolds are examined as a device for pDNA release. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs reveal scaffolds with various morphologies and fiber diameters in the range of 0.5 - 3 μm. Absorbency studies in buffer demonstrate both a mass increase and area increase ratio of two. Tensile studies indicate that the scaffolds are capable of withstanding an ultimate stress of approximately 8 MPa and ultimate strain of ≥ 800 %. In addition, scaffolds are shown to have minimal cellular adhesive properties and are found to be non-cytotoxic to human dermal fibroblast cells in vitro. Agarose gel electrophoresis determines that the encapsulated pDNA retains its structural integrity throughout the fabrication and release processes. Sustained pDNA release is confirmed using PicoGreen® and released pDNA bioactivity is confirmed using fibroblast cells that are successfully transfected in vitro. Electrospun pDNA-Tecophilic® scaffolds are proven advantageous as a device for gene therapy wound healing. Similar to both the ECM and ideal dressings, the scaffolds are strong, elastic, air permeable, minimally adhesive, and non-cytotoxic. When used as a wound dressing, the absorptive properties of the scaffold should help to maintain a moist healing environment. Furthermore, electrospun Tecophilic® scaffolds will provide a sustained localized delivery of pDNA for cellular transfection.
Permanent Link: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1193882087
http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/3767
Date: 2007

Files in this item

Files Size Format View

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show full item record