# Aminolyzed Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Scaffolds with Visible Light-Activated Sterilization for Tissue Engineering Applications

## TL;DR

Scientists created a nanofiber material that can be sterilized with light and supports cell growth, making it useful for tissue engineering.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of aminolyzed polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffolds with visible light-activated sterilization and cytocompatibility.

## Key findings

- The nanofiber scaffolds efficiently generate antibacterial species like singlet oxygen when exposed to green or blue light.
- The functionalized membranes showed improved cell adhesion and proliferation with adipose tissue-derived stem cells.
- The material demonstrated a potent antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli without causing toxicity.

## Abstract

New photoactive nanofiber materials based on an aminolyzed
polycaprolactone
membrane with demonstrated cytocompatibility were developed. Two photoactive
compounds, the photosensitizer Rose Bengal and the nitric oxide photodonor
4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)­aniline, were covalently bonded to the
nanofiber surface, with or without a glutaraldehyde linker. The surface
functionalization was confirmed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
UV–vis absorption, and steady-state and time-resolved luminescence
spectroscopy. Upon excitation with green or blue light, these materials
efficiently generate antibacterial species, including singlet oxygen,
with a slight contribution of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide.
A potent light-induced antibacterial effect was demonstrated against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the functionalized
photoactive membranes, especially those with a glutaraldehyde linker
and photosterilized by light, not only excluded the material toxicity
but also demonstrated improved cell adhesion and proliferation when
tested with adipose tissue-derived stem cells. These materials, which
offer a unique combination of light-controlled surface sterilization
and high cellular compatibility, are promising for advanced tissue
engineering applications.