Functionalization of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers with the extracellular matrix-derived peptide GRGDS improves guidance of schwann cell migration and axonal growth.

The best available treatment of peripheral nerve lesions involves transplantation of an autologous nerve. This approach, however, entails sensory deficits at the donor site and requires additional surgery. Such limitations have motivated the search for a bioengineering solution to design artificial implants.

Functionalization of electrospun fibers of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) with star shaped NCO-poly(ethylene glycol)-stat-poly(propylene glycol) for neuronal cell guidance.

Microfibers produced with electrospinning have recently been used in tissue engineering. In the development of artificial implants for nerve regeneration they are of particular interest as guidance structures for cell migration and axonal growth. Using electrospinning we produced parallel-orientated biocompatible fibers in the submicron range consisting of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and star shaped NCO-poly(ethylene glycol)-stat-poly(propylene glycol) (sPEG).