Ascorbic Acid 2-Phosphate Releasing Supercritically Foamed Porous Poly-L-Lactide-Co-ε-Caprolactone Scaffold Enhances the Collagen Production of Human Vaginal Stromal Cells: A New Approach for Vaginal Tissue Engineering

Background: The reconstructive surgery of vaginal defects is highly demanding and susceptible to complications, especially in larger defects requiring nonvaginal tissue grafts. Thus, tissue engineering-based solutions could provide a potential approach to the reconstruction of vaginal defects. Methods: Here, we evaluated a novel porous ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (A2P)-releasing supercritical carbon dioxide foamed poly-L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone (scPLCL A2P ) scaffold for vaginal reconstruction with vaginal epithelial (EC) and stromal (SC) cells. The viability, proliferation, and phenotype of ECs and SCs were evaluated in monocultures and in cocultures on d 1, d 7 and d 14. Furthermore, the collagen production of SCs on scPLCL A2P was compared to that on scPLCL without A2P on d 14. Results: Both ECs and SCs maintained their viability on the scPLCL A2P scaffold in mono- and coculture conditions, and the cells maintained their typical morphology during the 14-d culture period. Most importantly, the scPLCL A2P scaffolds supported the collagen production of SCs superior to plain scPLCL based on total collagen amount, collagen I and III gene expression results and collagen immunostaining results. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating the effect of A2P on vaginal tissue engineering, and the results are highly encouraging, indicating that scPLCL A2P has potential as a scaffold for vaginal tissue engineering. Graphical Abstract