3-Dimensional porous nanocomposite scaffolds based on cellulose nanofibers for cartilage tissue engineering: tailoring of porosity and mechanical performance

Abstract

Fully bio-based 3-dimensional porous scaffolds based on freeze-dried cellulose nanofibers (70-90 wt%) stabilized using a genipin crosslinked matrix of gelatin and chitosan were prepared. Morphology studies using scanning electron microscopy showed that the scaffolds have interconnected pores with average pore diameters of 75-200 mm and nanoscaled pore wall roughness, both favorable for cell interactions with cartilage repair. X-ray tomography confirmed the 3-dimensional homogeneity and interconnectivity of the pores as well as the fibrillar structure of the scaffolds. The compression modulus of the scaffolds (1-3 MPa) at room conditions was higher than natural cartilage (z1 MPa). The lowered compression modulus of 10-60 kPa in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 C was considered favorable for chondrogenesis. The current study therefore successfully addressed the challenge of tailoring the pore structure and mechanical properties simultaneously for cartilage regeneration. Furthermore, the scaffolds' high porosity (z95%), high PBS uptake and good cytocompatibility towards chondrocytes are considered beneficial for cell attachment and extracellular matrix (ECM) production.

A drug delivery hydrogel system based on activin B for Parkinson's disease

“…After being lyophilized in a freeze dryer, the dry weights of the hydrogels were measured (W 0 ). Next, the hydrogels were immersed into a phosphate swelling medium and in vitro degradation medium since it can narrowly resemble skin interstitial liquid and has been recruited in other similar studies [42]). Their swelling ratios were calculated according to equation (Eq.)…”

Nanomaterials as potential and versatile platform for next generation tissue engineering applications

“…Porous and biocompatible nanocomposite scaffolds of cellulose nanofibers stabilized using a mixture of crosslinked gelatin and chitosan has been synthesized. The developed nanocomposites possessing good cytocompatibility, high porosity, and ability to tailor mechanical properties have been proposed to provide cell attachment to chondrocytes and form ECM for cartilage engineering . In another report, PLA–PCL yarn/collagen I/hyaluronate nanofibers have been developed for cartilage TE.…”

“…The developed nanocomposites possessing good cytocompatibility, high porosity, and ability to tailor mechanical properties have been proposed to provide cell attachment to chondrocytes and form ECM for cartilage engineering. 112 In another report, PLA-PCL yarn/collagen I/hyaluronate nanofibers have been developed for cartilage TE. The prepared nanofibers induced the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of bone marrow MSCs into chondrocytes.…”

Chitosan Hydrogels Crosslinked by Genipin and Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals: Production and Characterization

“…Naseri et al [36] produced scaffolds of cellulose nanofibers and a genipin-crosslinked matrix of gelatin and chitosan. The authors reported flat and layered hydrogel morphologies for samples with a higher content of the matrix, corroborating the behavior reported in this work.…”

“…The authors reported flat and layered hydrogel morphologies for samples with a higher content of the matrix, corroborating the behavior reported in this work. Naseri et al [36] produced scaffolds of cellulose nanofibers and a genipin-crosslinked matrix of gelatin and chitosan. The authors reported flat and layered hydrogel morphologies for samples with a higher content of the matrix, corroborating the behavior reported in this work.…”