University of Pittsburgh

Eric M Jeffries

Yadong Wang

Robert Andrew Allen

James Clampffer

Noah R Johnson

Daniel Long

Methods are disclosed which combine electrospinning and a sacrificial template, such as with additive manufacturing (AM), to produce fibrous microvascular scaffolds which are biodegradable, porous, and easily handled. In one example, a process for fabricating a fibrous network construct is disclosed. The method includes electrospinning a first layer of fibrous material; printing a micropatterned sacrificial template; transferring the micropatterned sacrificial template onto the electrospun fibers; electrospinning a second layer of fibrous biomaterial onto the micropatterned sacrificial template thereby encapsulating the template and generating a construct with two layers; and removing the sacrificial template, producing a fibrous construct with channels or microstructures formed therein. Also disclosed are fibrous constructs and scaffolds produced by the provided methods.

Electrospinning with sacrificial template for patterning fibrous constructs

Compositions are provided herein comprising a coacervate of a polycationic polymer, a polyanionic polymer, and platelet-rich plasma and/or serum, or a fraction or concentrate thereof. The composition is useful in wound healing. Compositions also are provided that comprise a hydrogel comprising TIMP-3; and a complex of a polycationic polymer, a polyanionic polymer, FGF-2 and SDF-1α embedded in the hydrogel, which is useful in treating a myocardial infarction.

Protection and delivery of multiple therapeutic proteins

Provided herein are coacervate compositions including cytokines, and methods of making and using the same. The coacervate can be formed by the mixing of an active agent, such as a drug or protein with the polyanion, such as heparin or heparan sulfate, and a custom-made polycation (e.g., PEAD or PELD). The coacervates can be used in the treatment of diseases and disorders where targeted treatment is desired, for example in treatment of cancers.

Complex coacervate for controlled release and related methods

Compositions are provided herein comprising a coacervate of a polycationic polymer, a polyanionic polymer, and platelet-rich plasma and/or serum, or a fraction or concentrate thereof. The composition is useful in wound healing. Compositions also are provided that comprise a hydrogel comprising TIMP-3; and a complex of a polycationic polymer, a polyanionic polymer, FGF-2 and SDF-1&#x3b1; embedded in the hydrogel, which is useful in treating a myocardial infarction.

Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Eric M Jeffries