Electrospinning Lysine-Polypeptide Copolymers: Creating Microfiber Meshes for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Polylysine is a synthetic polymer used in biology to promote cell proliferation. However, due to its high solubility in water, its incorporation into stable substrates is difficult to achieve using processes that enable 3D materials. In this work, we prepared electrospun fibers with high lysine content (greater than 90%) using high-molar-mass amphiphilic polypeptides (molar mass higher than 50 kDa) prepared by ring-opening copolymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides. By correctly selecting the fiber-forming conditions, it was possible to form homogeneous electrospun meshes with good mechanical properties (Young’s modulus from 100 to 500 MPa), allowing enhanced fibroblast cell proliferation (400% compared to the control) and exhibiting the characteristic fusiform morphology of adherent fibroblasts when cultured on the scaffolds, while avoiding polymer leaching from the fibers. This platform holds great promise for future biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and wound healing.