Development of biodegradable scaffolds by leaching self-assembled magnetic sugar particles

Technologies to develop scaffolds with controlled diameter and high porosity have great significance in tissue engineering. We have fabricated biodegradable 2D and 3D scaffolds with ordered array of pores by casting polymer on self-assembled d-fructose (sugar) microspheres. First, ferrite microparticles were encapsulated in sugar spheres to make them become magnetized. After sieving magnetic sugar particles, those diameter-controlled particles were attracted by a magnet to form a self-assembled template for polymer casting. After removal of sugar particles, ordered array of pores were generated on the surface of sheet-like scaffolds. Ordered pores are also generated in 3D tubular scaffolds by using magnetic force and viscoelasticity of PVA solution. It was confirmed that MSPs leaching method makes it possible to make high porous scaffolds in spite of the thickness of scaffold and the porosity is homogeneous. Finally, the biocompatibility of the developed scaffold was confirmed by the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.