Abstract: Objective To explore the feasibility of using composite scaffolds of rabbit oral epithelial cells and polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibers for urethral repair. Methods The 25% PCL was prepared using a 5∶1 by volume mixture of trichloromethane and anhydrous methanol, and PCL fiber tubular scaffolds were obtained by electrospinning. Rabbit oral mucosa epithelial cells (1.5×105) were implanted on the PCL scaffold. Subsequently, they were embedded in nude mice subcutaneous, explanted in 2 weeks. PCL fiber tubular scaffolds without rabbit oral mucosa epithelial cells were used as control. The complex urethral scaffolds were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining with cytokeratin antibody and HE staining. Results Compared with blank PCL group, the rabbit oral mucosa epithelial cell group showed a good cellularization. Rabbit oral mucosa epithelial cells formed a dense cell layer on the surface of PCL lumen, which suggested that rabbit oral mucosa epithelial cells can proliferate on the surface of PCL lumen. Conclusion Rabbit oral epithelial cells can be used as one of the seed cells for tissue engineered urethral scaffolds, and it is possible to construct tissue engineering substitute materials for urethral repair by rabbit oral epithelial cells combined with PCL.

Key words: mouth mucosa, epithelial cells, tissue engineering, polycaprolactone, urethral stent, electrospinning