Translational Study on Postsurgical Anti-Adhesion Barriers Made of Nanofibrous Membranes

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. Anti-adhesive molecules or anti-inflammatory drugs could be incorporated into nanofibers to develop a multi-functional anti-adhesion barrier. In this three-year project, we propose to combine three FDA approved biodegradable biopolymers with anti-adhesion properties, polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and hyaluronic acid (HA), to produce anti-adhesion barrier nanofibrous membranes for translational medicine study. 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 electrospun membranes will contain single or mixed polymers, single or core-shell nanofibers, and without or with drugs (ibuprofen or amoxicillin). Six kinds of membranes will be studied including (1) HA-grafted PCL nanofibrous membranes, (2) PCL+PEG nanofibrous membranes, (3) PCL/PCL+PEG core-shell nanofibrous membranes, (4) PCL+PEG+ drug nanofibrous membranes, (5) PCL+drug/HA core-shell nanofibrous membranes, and (6) PCL+PEG+drug/HA core-shell nanofibrous membranes.

Project ID:PG10204-0252
External Project ID:DOH102-TD-PB-111-NSC004