Multi-functional nanofibrous membranes for tendon adhesion prevention and tendon healing

To improve current problems facing anti-adhesion products, we propose to use elctrospinning to fabricate porous nanofibrous membranes as anti-adhesion barriers. Nanofibrous membranes will have microporous pores to allow diffusion of nutrients, while block penetration of cells at surgical sites to prevent adhesion formation. The membranes will also have good mechanical properties and flexibility for application at surgical sites by surgeons after surgery. Plasma-rich plasma (PRP) and silver nanoparticles) could be incorporated into nanofibers to develop a multi-functional anti-bacterial membrane to prevent peritendinous adhesion and to promote tendon healing. In this two-year project, we propose to combine FDA-approved biomaterials with anti-adhesion properties, polycaprolactone (PCL) and hyaluronic acid (HA), to produce anti-adhesion barrier nanofibrous membranes for translational medicine study. With the release of growth factors from incorporated PRP to promote tendon healing and the anti-bacterial activity from incorporated silver nanoparticles, multi-functional anti-adhesion barrier membranes could be obtained. We will characterize the physico-chemical properties of the fabricated membranes, and carry out in vitro and in vivo tests of the safety and efficacy of these membranes. The first short-term growth factors releasing electrospun composite membranes will contain a HA/PRP nanofibrous membrane layer on top of a PCL nanofibrous membrane layer. The second long-term growth factors releasing core-shell nanofibrous membranes will contain a PRP/HA core region and a PCL shell layer for extended release of growth factors in PRP to promote long-term tendon healing. Silver nanoparticles will be added to the outer PCL shell layer during electrospinning to endow the nanofibrous membrane with anti-bacterial properties, which could also promore tendon healing.

Project ID:PG10407-0122
External Project ID:MOHW104-TDU-PB-212-122008