Culture of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on polyurethane/pyrrole surface promoted differentiation into endothelial lineage

AbstractDue to the electrical conductivity, pyrrole‐based scaffolds are one of the attractive biomaterials in the regeneration of electrically active tissues like the heart and brain. Here, we investigated the impact of polyurethane/pyrrole scaffold on the angiogenesis differentiation of rabbit mesenchymal stem cells toward endothelial lineage in vitro. Nanoelectrospun polyurethane/pyrrole fibers were synthesized and characterized using attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectrum analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Mechanical properties, electroconductivity, and hydrophobicity were also measured. The viability of cells was monitored 72 hours after being plated on the polyurethane/pyrrole surface. The endothelial differentiation of stem cells was explored using western blotting. ATR‐FTIR revealed that the pyrrole was successfully polymerized to polypyrrole and blend with polyurethane fibers. The addition of pyrrole to polyurethane increased the tensile strength compared to the polyurethane group. These features coincided with the reduction of the hydrophilic properties of polyurethane. Based on our data, the electro‐conductivity of polyurethane/pyrrole was superior compared to the polyurethane group. SEM imaging showed an appropriate cell attachment to the surface of polyurethane/pyrrole and polyurethane groups synthesized membranes. MTT assay revealed a significantly increased survival rate in the polyurethane/pyrrole group compared to the polyurethane group (P < .05). We noted a statistically significant increase of endothelial‐associated proteins, CD31, von Willebrand factor, and CD34, in cells expanded on polyurethane/pyrrole compared to the polyurethane group (P < .05). As a more general note, it could be hypothesized that the polyurethane/pyrrole blend could improve the angiogenesis potency of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative purposes.