Microfabricated PLGA scaffolds: a comparative study for application to tissue engineering

A variety of techniques for the manufacture of biodegradable, three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering have been developed in recent years. In this study, we report and compare two simple methods for fabricating poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds with feature sizes of 10-200 mum, which have been developed in our laboratories. The first technique is based on the use of a microsyringe that makes use of a computer-controlled, three-axis micropositioner, which allows the control of motor speeds and position. A PLGA solution is drawn from the needle of the syringe by the application of a constant pressure of 10-300 mm Hg resulting in controlled polymer deposition of 10-600 mum in diameter. The second technique is based on "soft lithographic" approaches that utilizes a Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold. The polymer solution is cast on the mold under vacuum. Polymer concentration, solvent composition, and casting conditions influence the integrity and the lateral resolution of the resulting scaffold. Both techniques allow the possibility of constructing three-dimensional architectures that permit the study of cell behaviour in an environment similar to that in vivo, and may provide tools for the construction of engineered tissue. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.