Fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/laminin scaffold for neural tissue engineering

Neural tissue injuries pose significant therapeutic challenges due to the intricate structure of nerve tissue and the limited regenerative capability of the central nervous system. To overcome these obstacles, we have developed an innovative three-dimensional scaffold composed of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gelatin, and laminin to enhance neural tissue regeneration. The PVA/Gelatin scaffold was physically crosslinked via a freeze-thaw process and subsequently fabricated through freeze-drying to create a porous structure. Laminin protein was then immobilized onto the scaffold surface to improve its bioactivity. Comprehensive characterization using scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous scaffold with interconnected pores conducive to cell infiltration. In vitro fibroblast culture assays demonstrated enhanced cell attachment and viability, with accelerated neural differentiation observed on laminin-modified scaffolds. These results confirm that the fabricated scaffold possesses desirable physicochemical and biological properties, making it a promising candidate for neural tissue engineering applications. • A novel 3D, biodegradable neural tissue scaffold was fabricated using a freeze-drying method based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Gelatin/laminin for nerve tissue engineering. • The PVA/Gelatin scaffold was cross-linked physically using the freeze-thaw method. • The result scaffolds were highly porous with interconnected pores. • The application of a natural and a synthetic polymer coated by laminin protein in the 3D porous structure caused suitable biological responses. • The fabricated scaffold supports neural and glial cell growth, adhesion, and differentiation for two weeks.