PCL-based and Hirudin-containing Composite Nanofibers for Prolonged Anticoagulation Effect

M ore and more concerns about health bring the increasing demand for blood contact tissue engineering alternatives. In this paper, nanoparticles of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/polyethyleneimine mixed with recombinant hirudin(rHNPs) were prepared by a double emulsion solvent volatilization method, which were then loaded onto the polycaprolactone(PCL) with polydopamine(PDA) coating to form the composite nanofibers of PCL/PDA/rHNPs. The hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the composite nanofibers were improved significantly compared with pure PCL. The morphology kept almost unchanged after 30 d of degradation in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The anticoagulant molecule of hirudin could be gradually released from the composite scaffolds through the degradation of rHNPs in vitro . When the concentration of rHNPs suspension was 5.0 mg/mL, the composite nanofibers could better promote the growth and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). The anticoagulant ability of the composite nanofibers was also significantly improved in comparison with that of pure PCL. The design of controlled release anticoagulant materials would alleviate the sudden release of simple fixed hirudin, which could also provide a new idea for the development of novel blood contact materials.