Investigating Cellular Viability and Proliferation on 3D-printed Scaffolds for the Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition involving the weakening of the pelvic floor, with a prevalence of up to 50% of women experiencing the condition to some degree. Individuals with the condition are susceptible to multiple symptoms include vaginal protrusion, dyspareunia, and difficulties with waste excretion. Risk factors are common and numerous for POP, and the economic burden of the condition poses a significant cost to nations worldwide. For many years, the primary solution to POP was the usage of transvaginal meshes, often composed of polypropylene, but rising reports of harmful side effects have led to their recall. Due to this, the space is open for novel solutions, and treatments based in regenerative medicine are on the rise. One such potential treatment is the usage of functionalized polyvinyl alcohol scaffolds to support the regeneration and strengthening of the pelvic floor. To validate the usage of this scaffold, this study focuses on the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, with specific focus on the maintenance of cell viability and proliferation on the scaffold. Through usage of metabolic assays and fluorescence microscopy, scaffolds composed of functional polyvinyl alcohol with cellulose have shown promise in supporting the cell types necessary for reconstructing the pelvic floor.