Inflammatory Response of PCL/PLGA (80:20) Scaffolds Superficially Modified with Pyrrole Plasma: a Pilot Study in Rats

The assessment of inflammation induced by a scaffold is vital in tissue engineering, as these studies help determine if acute inflammation can progress to chronic inflammation, exacerbating conditions such as diabetic wounds or even cancer. This study describes the methodology for manufacturing a PCL/PLGA (80:20) scaffold treated superficially with pyrrole plasma. The objective of the superficial treatment was to deposit bonds such as N-H, C=C, and C=N on the polymer surface, previously suggested in the literature for their potential to regulate the inflammatory response. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the presence of these bonds on the scaffold's surface. Additionally, SEM micrographs of the scaffold revealed the presence of defect-free fibers with diameters between 1 and 6 µm and the deposition of polymeric particles derived from pyrrole. To assess the inflammatory response induced by the superficially treated scaffolds, cytotoxicity studies were initially conducted using MTT with Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells (hDFSCs), revealing no cytotoxic effects. Subsequently, the scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in vivo in Wistar rats. Histological analyses of the biopsies demonstrated the expected inflammatory response to a foreign body, suggesting that the scaffolds can be considered biocompatible. These findings are relevant for the future development of surface-modified biomaterials.