Sustained release of proteins using small intestinal submucosa modified PLGA scaffold

In this study, we fabricated poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffold modified with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a drug delivery matrix of bioactive molecules. SIS derived from the submucosa layer of porcine intestine has been widely used as biomaterial because of low immune response. PLGA scaffold was prepared by the method of solvent casting/salt leaching. Novel composite scaffolds of SIS/PLGA were manufactured by simple immersion method of PLGA scaffold in SIS solution under vacuum. SEM observation shows that PLGA and SIS/PLGA scaffolds have interconnective and open pores. Escpecially, SIS/PLGA scaffold showed that micro-sponge of SIS with interconnected pore structures were formed in the pores of PLGA scaffold. In order to assay release profile of proteins, we manufactured FITC conjugated BSA loaded PLGA and SIS/PLGA scaffold. And the release amount was identified by fluorescence intensity using the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The initial burst of BSA containing SIS/PLGA scaffolds was lower than that of PLGA scaffolds resulting in constant release. And release of BSA in SIS/PLGA scaffold was fast and incremental because of the increased content of BSA. In conclusion, we confirmed that penetrated SIS solution prevented the initial burst of BSA and PLGA modified with SIS scaffold is useful as protein carriers with controlled release pattern.