3-Dimensional Piezoelectric Fibrous Constructs for Muscle Regeneration

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer with inherent piezoelectricity, holds promise for developing biomimetic scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Its ability to generate electrical charges in response to mechanical stimulation, mimicking the electromechanical environment in native tissues like muscle, makes it attractive. This study focuses on harnessing PHBV properties to engineer electrospun fibrous scaffolds for muscle regeneration. We investigated processing parameters, such as solvent combinations, polymer concentrations, and tip-to-collector distances on fiber morphology, porosity, and piezoelectric properties. We observed a 25-fold increase in the quasi-static piezoelectric coefficient (d33 from 0.117 to 2.9 pC/N) for scaffolds with controlled porosity. This piezoelectric activity was corroborated by dynamic Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) measurements, which identified an electromechanical coupling factor (kt) of 13.86%. This enhanced electromechanical response highlights their potential for stimulating cellular responses for tissue regeneration. The mechanical properties of these scaffolds demonstrated their ability to undergo strain up to 40%, within the optimal range for muscle tissue engineering and compatibility with muscle functionality. Cytocompatibility of PHBV scaffolds was confirmed, and preliminary studies suggest their potential to support myogenic differentiation. This research highlights PHBV-based biomimetic scaffolds potential for muscle regeneration and sets groundwork for developing advanced therapies addressing muscle injury and disease.