Journal of Textile Research ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (03): 60-69.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20250902901

• Biomedical Materials • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Hydration-stable biphasic poly(D,L-lactic acid)/collagen I patch via electrospinning-constant-stress annealing synergy for rotator cuff tendon-bone regeneration

CHEN Yongliang1, YANG Xiao1,2, WANG Chaorong1,2, HUANG Junhong1, LI Yan1,2, WANG Lu1,2()   

  1. 1 College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
    2 Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
  • Received:2025-09-08 Revised:2025-12-24 Online:2026-03-15 Published:2026-03-15
  • Contact: WANG Lu E-mail:wanglu@dhu.edu.cn

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Abstract:

Objective Rotator cuff repairs continue to face significant clinical challenges due to high retear rates, primarily resulting from poor tendon healing and insufficient mechanical support during the regeneration process. This study aims to develop an advanced biomimetic scaffold that combines synthetic polymers with natural extracellular matrix components to create a functional patch that enhances both biological integration and mechanical stability at the repair site, thereby potentially improving clinical outcomes in rotator cuff reconstruction.

Method The as-received poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA)/type I collagen composite fibrous patch was prepared by electrospinning a blend solution. The thermally as-annealed patch was subsequently obtained by controlled heat treatment. The patches were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), universal mechanical testing, and in vitro cell assays to evaluate their morphology, chemical composition, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, wet-state stability, and cytocompatibility.

Results Both the as-received and as-annealed patches exhibited well-defined three-dimensional fibrous networks with interconnected pores, featuring a hierarchical structure containing both nanoscale and microscale fibers. The porosity measurements confirmed highly porous architectures exceeding 80%, which provides an optimal environment for cell infiltration and nutrient transport. Successful incorporation of type I collagen within the PDLLA matrix was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, demonstrating characteristic collagen absorption bands. This integration significantly enhanced the surface hydrophilicity of the inherently hydrophobic PDLLA polymer, as evidenced by substantially reduced water contact angles. The thermal annealing treatment profoundly improved the patch's performance in wet conditions. After 14 d aqueous incubation, the as-annealed patch demonstrated remarkable structural preservation compared to the as-received patch. Quantitative analysis revealed that the fiber orientation retention increased by 50% (p<0.001), while the area shrinkage decreased by 39.3% (p<0.01). Mechanical characterization showed that the annealing process effectively maintained structural integrity under hydration, with the as-annealed patch exhibiting 31.21% higher fracture strength (p<0.05) and 84.53% greater elastic modulus (p<0.05) than the as-received patch after the same incubation period. Furthermore, biological assessment confirmed excellent cytocompatibility of the as-annealed patch, with cell proliferation rates consistently exceeding 80% throughout the 7 d culture period.

Conclusion The thermally annealed PDLLA/type I collagen composite fibrous patch proposed demonstrates comprehensive advantages including significantly enhanced wet-state stability, superior mechanical retention under physiological conditions, and excellent cytocompatibility. These improved characteristics address critical requirements for rotator cuff repair applications, where maintaining structural integrity and promoting biological integration are essential for successful healing. The annealing strategy effectively stabilizes the fiber architecture against hydration-induced collapse while preserving the beneficial effects of collagen incorporation on biological activity. The patch's biomimetic composition, combining synthetic polymer durability with natural protein bioactivity, along with its optimized structural properties, positions it as a promising candidate for clinical application in tendon repair. Future work should focus on in vivo validation using appropriate animal models to further investigate the patch's regenerative performance and long-term fate in biological environments, as well as exploration of its potential for delivering therapeutic agents to further enhance the healing process.

Key words: rotator cuff repair patch, poly(D, L-lactic acid), type I collagen, electrospinning, constant-stress annealing synergy, medical textiles, rotator cuff tendon repair

CLC Number: 

  • TS 181.8

Fig.1

Macroscopic morphologies of as-received and as-annealed patches. (a) As-received patch; (b) As-received oriented layer;(c) As-received isotropic layer; (d) As-annealed patch; (e) As-annealed oriented layer; (f) As-annealed isotropic layer"

Fig.2

SEM images of as-received and as-annealed patches under dry conditions. (a) As-received oriented layer; (b) As-annealed oriented layer; (c) As-received isotropic layer; (d) As-annealed isotropic layer"

Fig.3

FT-IR spectra of different samples"

Fig.4

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of different samples"

Fig.5

Water contact angles of samples"

Fig.6

SEM images of as-received and as-annealed patches under PBS incubation conditions. (a)7 d-as-received; (b)7 d-as-annealed; (c)14 d-as-received; (d)14 d-as-annealed"

Fig.7

Fiber diameter distribution diagram of different samples cultured for different periods"

Tab.1

Fiber diameter variation of different samples under PBS incubation conditions"

取样时间/d 纤维直径/μm
原始态补片 退火态补片
0 0.966±0.241 0.967±0.228
7 1.237±0.158 1.076±0.212
14 1.602±0.244 1.219±0.205

Fig.8

Fiber orientation distribution diagram of different samples"

Tab.2

Area shrinkage ratio variation of different samples under PBS incubation conditions"

时间 面积收缩率/%
PDLLA补片 原始态补片 退火态补片
30 min 0 0 0
7 d 3.50±0.28 81.73±0.16 37.09±0.50
14 d 5.74±0.25 82.71±0.12 43.41±0.78

Fig.9

Stress-strain curves of different samples under dry/wet conditions"

Tab.3

Mechanical properties of different samples under dry/wet conditions"

试样名称 断裂强度/MPa 弹性模量/MPa 断裂伸长率/%
干态-原始态 7.71±0.43 87.92±13.89 60.52±18.67
干态-退火态 10.79±1.53 142.32±25.38 56.37±10.73
湿态-原始态 5.64±0.53 18.03±2.00 77.03±22.76
湿态-退火态 7.40±0.85 33.27±1.83 81.22±10.51

Fig.10

Absorbances of samples by CCK-8 method"

Tab.4

Relative increment rates of different samples"

样品组别 相对增殖率/%
1 d 2 d 3 d
PDLLA补片 75.09 97.00 89.55
原始态补片 80.37 95.57 93.92
退火态补片 90.03 97.05 96.29

Tab.5

Absorbances of adherent cells on different substrates"

样品组别 吸光度
4 h 24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h
空白对照 0.31 0.46 0.54 0.81 1.10
PDLLA补片 0.22 0.33 0.38 0.64 0.69
原始态补片 0.25 0.33 0.43 0.74 0.86
退火态补片 0.24 0.36 0.42 0.74 0.82

Tab.6

Adhesion rates of cells cultured on different sample surfaces"

样品组别 细胞黏附率/%
4 h 24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h
PDLLA补片 19.70 29.70 35.03 58.51 63.03
原始态补片 22.36 30.32 39.01 67.78 78.46
退火态补片 22.03 32.92 38.28 67.68 75.18
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