Biodegradable Nanomats Produced by Electrospinning: Expanding Multifunctionality and Potential for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

With increasing interest in nanotechnology, development of nanofibers (n-fibers) by using the technique of electrospinning is gaining new momentum. Among important potential applications of n-fiber-based structures, scaffolds for tissue-engineering represent an advancing front. Nanoscaffolds (n-scaffolds) are closer to natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and its nanoscale fibrous structure. Although the technique of electrospinning is relatively old, various improvements have been made in the last decades to explore the spinning of submicron fibers from biodegradable polymers and to develop also multifunctional drug-releasing and bioactive scaffolds. Various factors can affect the properties of resulting nanostructures that can be classified into three main categories, namely: (1) Substrate related, (2) Apparatus related, and (3) Environment related factors. Developed n-scaffolds were tested for their cytocompatibility using different cell models and were seeded with cells for to develop tissue engineering constructs. Most importantly, studies have looked at the potential of using n-scaffolds for the development of blood vessels. There is a large area ahead for further applications and development of the field. For instance, multifunctional scaffolds that can be used as controlled delivery system do have a potential and have yet to be investigated for engineering of various tissues. So far, in vivo data on n-scaffolds are scarce, but in future reports are expected to emerge. With the convergence of the fields of nanotechnology, drug release and tissue engineering, new solutions could be found for the current limitations of tissue engineering scaffolds, which may enhance their functionality upon in vivo implantation. In this paper electrospinning process, factors affecting it, used polymers, developed n-scaffolds and their characterization are reviewed with focus on application in tissue engineering.

Physico-chemical characterization of functional electrospun scaffolds for bone and cartilage tissue engineering

“…Fibrous membranes produced by electrospinning are of increasing interest because they may mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells in vivo and therefore can be used as a support for tissue culture [21]. Moreover they can be tailored in terms of architecture and composition in order to optimize beneficial cell responses and subsequently be used in a multilayered arrangement for three-dimensional tissue formation [22,23].…”

Structural and Spectroscopic Investigation of Ceria Nanofibers Fabricated by Electrospinning Process

“…Production of nanofibers is considered as a part of nanotechnology. Electrospinning has been used as a simple and useful method for synthesizing nanosized materials such as nanomats, 1 nanobelts, 2 nanospring, 3 and nanofibers. 4 This technique creates a high specific surface area to volume ratio, high porosity and continuous fibers.…”

Dual-Drug Encapsulation and Release from Core–Shell Nanofibers

“…Because of their outstanding features, such as extremely high surface area to volume ratio [8,[17][18][19], electrospun nanofibers have several advantages over other dosage forms, including the drug-release profile which can be finely tailored by a modulation on the morphology, porosity and composition of the nanofiber membrane [20]; the very small diameter of the nanofibers means a short length for diffusion; and the high surface area is helpful to a mass transfer and efficient drug release. To be used as drug-delivery systems, there is particular interest in producing biodegradable nanofibers which could encapsulate and release drugs or bio-growth factors over a long period of time [21].…”