Biomimicking extracellular matrix: Cell adhesive RGD peptide modified electrospun poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofiber mesh

A cell adhesive peptide, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), was immobilized onto the surface of electrospun poly(B,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA nanofiber mesh in an attempt to mimic an extracellular matrix structure. A blend mixture of PLGA and PLGA-b-PEG-NH₂ di-block copolymer dissolved in a 1:1 volume mixture of dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran was electrospun to produce a nanofiber mesh with functional primary amino groups on the surface. Various electrospinning parameters, such as polymer concentration and the blend ratio, were optimized to produce a nanofiber mesh with desirable morphology, surface characteristics, and fiber diameter. A cell adhesive peptide, GRGDY, was covalently grafted onto the animated surface of the electrospun mesh under a hydrating condition. The amounts of surface primary amino groups and grafted RGD peptides were quantitatively determined. Cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation were greatly enhanced in the RGD modified electrospun PLGA nanofiber mesh compared with that of the unmodified one.