Design of experiments-based strategy for development and optimization of polylactide membranes preparation by wet inversion phase method

Cells-containing scaffolds made of biomaterial are modern hybrid constructs which allow regeneration or reconstruction of damaged connective tissue, e.g. cartilage or bone. The basic aim of the study was to recognize the impact of the scaffold production parameters (i.e. type of applied pore precursor, its concentration) on morphology and mechanical properties of polylactide (PLLA) membrane-based constructs, as well as their biocompatibility exhibited as cellular response. Design of experiments (DoE) strategy has been applied to quantitatively recognize the effects of synthesis parameters on PLLA-membrane properties. Two independent correlations have been introduced to provide the influence of the synthesis parameters on the pore size, as well as the Young's modulus identifying the surface properties of scaffolds. PLLA membrane-based scaffolds characterized by average pore diameter exceeded 100 microns and average Young's modulus exceeded 10 MPa have been obtained. The evaluation of scaffolds biocompatibility has been performed due to comprehensive analysis of proliferation effects and metabolic activity of mouse L929 fibroblasts maintained on the surface of developed PLLA-membranes. The Application of PVP as the pore precursor positively impacted on the surface properties of the constructs. The lack of cytotoxicity of the developed PLLA membranes has been detected.