A biodegradable hybrid sponge nested with collagen microsponges.

A biodegradable hybrid sponge of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and collagen was fabricated by forming microsponges of collagen in the pores of PLGA sponge. Observation of the PLGA-collagen hybrid sponge by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that microsponges of collagen with interconnected pore structures were formed in the pores of PLGA sponge. The hybrid structure further was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy-electron probe microanalysis (SEM-EPMA), and elemental nitrogen was detected in the microsponges of collagen and on the pore surfaces of PLGA, but not in cross-sections of PLGA regions. The formation of collagen microsponges was dependent on collagen concentration, the effective range of which was from 0.1 to 1.5 (w/v) %. The mechanical strength of the hybrid sponge was higher than that of either PLGA or collagen sponges, in both dry and wet states. The wettability with water was improved by hybridization with collagen, which facilitated cell seeding in the hybrid sponge. Mouse fibroblast L929 cells attached well and spread on the surfaces of the microsponges of collagen in the hybrid sponge. The distribution of cells was spatially uniform throughout the hybrid sponge. Use of the PLGA sponge as a skeleton facilitated formation of the hybrid sponge into desired shapes with high mechanical strength while collagen microsponges contributed good cell interaction and hydrophilicity. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.