Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogel-Coated Poly(ε-caprolactone) Microfibrous Membrane as a Friendly Blood-Contacting Material

The electrospun microfibrous membrane (EMM), as a blood-contacting material, holds great potential that promotes vascular tissue regeneration. However, EMM suffers from quick thrombosis. Hydrogel coating offers facile preparation and customizable functionality, which can improve the antithrombosis and endothelialization of the EMM. Here, a gelatin methacryloyl/N, N-methylene bis(acrylamide) (GelMA/MBA) hydrogel-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) microfibrous membrane (GM@PCL) was prepared conveniently by electrospinning/one-step coating. The structure and stability of the GM hydrogel coating were evaluated. The effects of the GM hydrogel coating on the antithrombotic properties and endothelialization of GM@PCL were studied. The introduction of the MBA improved the stability of the GM hydrogel coating due to the formation of dual cross-linking networks. The GM hydrogel coating endowed GM@PCL with excellent hydrophilicity and improved its antithrombosis by reducing protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, and red blood cell adhesion in a rabbit arteriovenous circulation model. The abundant arginine-glycine-aspartic acid sequences in the GM hydrogel coating promoted the adhesion and growth of endothelial cells on GM@PCL, achieving a higher endothelialization rate (98.1%) than that of PCL (66.9%) within 72 h. This work presents a promising and feasible one-step coating strategy that simultaneously addresses the challenges of thrombosis and endothelialization associated with microfiber-based blood-contacting materials and cardiovascular devices.