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Cellulose-reinforced electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) composite fibers: Enhanced mechanical properties for Achilles tendon repair

Iorio F, El Khatib M, Turriani M, Di Giacinto O, Mauro A, Gomes ME, Domingues RM, Beltrán AM, Russo V, Barboni B, Boccaccini AR (2026)

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Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Book Volume: 55

Article Number: 103748

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103748

Abstract

Achilles tendon ruptures represent challenging clinical scenarios owing to high re-rupture rates commonly associated with biomaterials implantation and limited functional recovery. This leads to the need for mechanically enhanced scaffolds capable of withstanding demanding load-bearing requirements during healing and rehabilitation. This study investigated acetylated cellulose nanofibers (aCNFs) reinforcement of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) (PCL/PGS) composite fibers for Achilles tendon repair applications. Cellulose nanofibers were chemically modified through acetylation obtaining a degree of substitution of 0.69, which enabled their successful integration into the PCL/PGS matrix via electrospinning in benign solvents. Three-dimensional tubular scaffolds were fabricated and comprehensively characterized with regards to their structural integrity and mechanical performance over 56 days, while biological evaluation of the scaffolds biocompatibility and teno-inductive properties was performed using amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs). aCNFs incorporation at 2% w/w significantly enhanced mechanical properties, with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values reaching 29-31 MPa under dry and wet conditions, approaching native Achilles tendon properties and representing a substantial improvement over unreinforced PCL/PGS scaffolds (14-16 MPa). The scaffolds exhibited preferential PGS removal during the extended degradation period, while maintaining structural integrity associated with PCL long-term stability. This led to sustained mechanical performance during degradation in scaffolds with 2% w/w aCNFs, which maintained 18-20 MPa UTS after 56 days. Despite reduced fiber alignment with increasing aCNFs content, scaffolds maintained excellent biocompatibility, supporting AECs viability and morphological transformation toward tenocyte-like phenotypes. Tenogenic differentiation capacity was preserved as evidenced by tenomodulin (TNMD) expression as early as 48 h, though spatial cell organization reflected the altered fiber architecture. These findings demonstrate that acetylated nanocellulose-based reinforcement represents a promising strategy for developing mechanically suitable scaffolds for demanding Achilles tendon repair applications, although it also highlighted a critical balance between scaffold topography and load-bearing capacity required for an appropriate cellular response in the context of tendon healing.

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How to cite

APA:

Iorio, F., El Khatib, M., Turriani, M., Di Giacinto, O., Mauro, A., Gomes, M.E.,... Boccaccini, A.R. (2026). Cellulose-reinforced electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) composite fibers: Enhanced mechanical properties for Achilles tendon repair. Materials Today Chemistry, 55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103748

MLA:

Iorio, Francesco, et al. "Cellulose-reinforced electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) composite fibers: Enhanced mechanical properties for Achilles tendon repair." Materials Today Chemistry 55 (2026).

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