A key challenge in skeletal muscle tissue engineering is the choice of a proper scaffolding material as it should demonstrate elastic behavior to withstand and support the dynamic loading of the tissue microenvironment while being biodegradable and biocompatible. In this study, we tested the applicability of a novel biodegradable polyurethane (PU) elastomer chain extended with fibrinogen (Fib) to fulfill these requirements. Biodegradable polyurethane-fibrinogen (PU-Fib) elastomers were synthesized by step-wise condensation polymerization. Firstly, PU prepolymer was synthesized and then Fib was integrated into PU prepolymer during the second step of polymerization. The chemical, thermal, viscoelastic, mechanical and biodegradation properties of PU-Fib were characterized. FTIR-ATR spectrum showed amide bands specific to PU and Fib, DSC thermograms showed the suitable integration between the components. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed Tg and Tα* transitions at 64.5 °C and 38.4 °C, respectively. PU and Fib had shown chemically compatible interactions and when compared to PCL, PU-Fib possessed viscoelastic properties more suitable to the native tissue. PU-Fib films were produced and seeded with C2C12 mouse myoblasts. Uniaxial cyclic stretch was applied to the cell seeded films for 21 d to mimic the native dynamic tissue microenvironment. Cell proliferation, viability and the expression of muscle-specific markers (immunofluorescent staining for myogenin and myosin heavy chain) were assessed. Myoblasts proliferated well on PU-Fib films; aligned parallel along their long edge, and express myogenic markers under biomimetic dynamic culture. It was possible to culture myoblasts with high viability on PU-Fib elastomeric films mimicking native muscle microenvironment.
COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had serious adverse effects globally in 2020 which are foreseen to extend in 2021, as well. The most important of these effects was exceeding the capacity of the healthcare infrastructures, and the related inability to meet the need for various medical equipment especially within the first months of the crisis following the emergence and rapid spreading of the virus. Urgent global demand for the previously unavailable personal protective equipment, sterile disposable medical supplies as well as the active molecules including vaccines and drugs fueled the need for the coordinated efforts of the scientific community. Amid all this confusion, the rapid prototyping technology, 3D printing, has demonstrated its competitive advantage by repositioning its capabilities to respond to the urgent need. Individual and corporate, amateur and professional all makers around the world with 3D printing capacity became united in effort to fill the gap in the supply chain until mass production is available especially for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies. Due to the unexpected, everchanging nature of the COVID-19 pandemic-like all other potential communicable diseases-the need for rapid design and 3D production of parts and pieces as well as sterile disposable medical equipment and consumables is likely to continue to keep its importance in the upcoming years. This review article summarizes how additive manufacturing technology can contribute to such cases with special focus on the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.