Preparation of hybrid scaffold from fibrin and biodegradable polymer fiber.

A biodegradable hybrid scaffold was prepared from fibrin and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fiber. Mixed fibrinogen and thrombin solution homogeneously dispersed in the presence of various amounts (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0mg) of PGA fiber was freeze-dried to obtain fibrin sponges with or without PGA fiber incorporation. By scanning electron microscopy observation, the fibrin sponges had an interconnected pore structure, irrespective of the amount of PGA fiber incorporated. PGA fiber incorporation enabled the fibrin sponges to significantly enhance their compression strength. In vitro cell culture studies revealed that the number of L929 fibroblasts initially attached was significantly larger for any fibrin sponge with PGA fiber incorporation than for the fibrin sponge without PGA fiber. The shrinkage of sponges after cell seeding was suppressed by fiber incorporation. It is possible that the shrinkage suppression of sponges maintains their intraspace, resulting in the superior cell attachment of a sponge with PGA fiber incorporation. After subcutaneous implantation into the backs of mice, the residual volume of a fibrin sponge with PGA fiber incorporation was significant compared with that of a fibrin sponge without PGA fiber. Larger number of cells infiltrated deep inside the fibrin sponges with PGA fiber incorporation implanted subcutaneously. It is concluded that the fibrin sponge reinforced by fiber incorporation is a promising three-dimensional scaffold of cells for tissue engineering.