G23 - Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds from Dissolved Cotton: A Sustainable Approach to ECM-Mimicking Biomaterials

Introduction: : The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical component of the cellular microenvironment, providing structural support and biochemical cues essential for cell behavior, including adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation (Hynes, 2009). Biomimetic scaffolds designed to replicate ECM characteristics have gained significant attention in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their potential to promote cell growth and tissue repair. Among various fabrication techniques, electrospinning is a widely used method to create nanofibrous scaffolds with structural and functional similarities to the native ECM (Li et al., 2002).
Natural materials, such as cellulose derived from cotton, offer unique advantages in scaffold fabrication due to their biocompatibility, abundance, and mechanical strength (Klemm et al., 2005). Electrospinning of cellulose-based materials can generate nanofibers with tunable properties for diverse biomedical applications, including wound healing, cartilage repair, and vascular tissue engineering. In this study, cotton was processed into nanofibrous scaffolds through electrospinning, stabilized in acetic acid, and evaluated for its ability to support stem cell growth. The resulting scaffolds demonstrated ECM-mimicking properties, highlighting their potential for regenerative medicine applications.

Materials and

Methods: : Cotton fibers were processed to form a solution suitable for electrospinning. The prepared solution was electrospun at a voltage of 20 kV to generate nanofibrous scaffolds. The resultant fibers were collected on a grounded collector and subsequently treated in acetic acid to stabilize their structure. The electrospun scaffolds were thoroughly washed to remove residual chemicals and sterilized prior to cell seeding. Human stem cells were cultured directly on the scaffolds in standard growth media under controlled conditions (37°C, 5% CO₂) to assess their biocompatibility and ability to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Cell behavior was monitored using microscopic imaging and viability assays.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: The electrospinning process successfully produced uniform nanofibers from dissolved cotton fibers, resulting in scaffolds that closely mimic the structure and mechanical properties of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The cotton-derived nanofibers exhibited excellent biocompatibility, supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Stem cells cultured on these scaffolds demonstrated healthy growth, indicating that the scaffolds provide an ideal environment for cell attachment and behavior. Microscopic imaging and viability assays confirmed that the electrospun scaffolds promote optimal stem cell growth and exhibit ECM-like properties, making them suitable for wound healing, cartilage repair, and regenerative medicine applications.

Acknowledgements and/or References (Optional):: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2337961.