Degradation Behavior of Electrospun Polylactic Acid Nanofiber Membranes and Its Impact on Fibroblasts Proliferation

This study investigates the in vitro degradation behavior of electrospun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofiber membranes in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and its relevance to fibroblast proliferation. The membrane morphology, structure, physicochemical properties, and L929 cell adhesion and proliferation were systematically characterized at different degradation stages. Upon PBS immersion, the nanofibers underwent aggregation and thinning, accompanied by reduced hydrophobicity and progressive medium acidification. Ester hydrolysis increased the carbonyl index and induced a crystalline transition from β to α / α ′ forms, with preferential degradation occurring in amorphous regions. Mechanical performance exhibited a non‐monotonic trend, attributable to chain rearrangement, recrystallization, and inter‐fiber interactions. Membranes at intermediate degradation stages promoted fibroblast attachment and proliferation, as reflected by increased cell density and elongated spindle morphologies. This favorable cellular response correlated with degradation‐induced rises in surface roughness, hydrophilicity, and amorphous content, but not with surface oxygen content. Owing to their high surface area, abundant polar groups, and special crystalline chain packing, electrospun PLA membranes exhibit complex degradation dynamics. Elucidating these dynamics provides valuable guidance for the rational design of tissue repair scaffolds with tailored degradation profiles and improved biocompatibility.