Engineering Biocompatible PLA-Silk-Gelatin Scaffolds for Enhanced Cardiac Regeneration

Abstract

Heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with limited regenerative capacity of cardiac tissue. Traditional treatments such as medications, surgical interventions, and transplants do not fully restore heart function, highlighting the need for advanced regenerative strategies. Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach, utilizing biocompatible scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation for cardiac repair. This study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of electrospun PLA-Silk-Gelatin scaffolds designed to replicate the ECM and provide a structural and bioactive environment for cardiac tissue regeneration. By integrating PLA (mechanical strength), Silk Fibroin (cell adhesion), and Gelatin (hydrophilicity and biodegradability), these scaffolds offer a balance of mechanical integrity and biological functionality essential for cardiac applications. The research aims to optimize scaffold composition, ensuring enhanced cell attachment, controlled degradation, and mechanical support for future cardiac cell integration.