Characterization of a Novel Polymeric Scaffold for Potential Application in Tendon/Ligament Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Unlike braided fabrics, knitted scaffolds have been proven to favor deposition of collagenous connective tissue matrix, which is crucial for tendon/ligament reconstruction. But cell seeding of such scaffolds often requires a gel system, which is unstable in a dynamic situation, especially in the knee joint. This study developed a novel, biodegradable nano-microfibrous polymer scaffold by electrospinning PLGA nanofibers onto a knitted PLGA scaffold in order to provide a large biomimetic surface for cell attachment. Porcine bone marrow stromal cells were seeded onto either the novel scaffolds by pipetting a cell suspension (Group I) or the knitted PLGA scaffolds by immobilizing in fibrin gel (Group II). Cell attachment at 36 hours, cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis at 1 week, and mechanical properties over 2 weeks were investigated. Cell attachment was comparable and cell proliferation was faster in Group I. Moreover, cellular function was more actively exhibited in Group I, as evident by the higher expression of collagen I, decorin, and biglycan genes. Thus, this novel scaffold, facilitating cell seeding and promoting cell proliferation, function, and differentiation, could be applied with promise in tissue engineering of tendon/ligament.

Nanotopography-guided tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

“…Through the process of electrospinning, fibers with diameters at the nanoscale can be constructed with a variety of different mechanical properties [142]. Aligned nanofibers that are longitudinally oriented support fibroblasts to retain a spindle-shaped morphology and secrete more collagen matrix compared to cells seeded on randomly oriented scaffolds when subjected to uniaxial strain [137,143]. These results indicate that orientation and mechanical cues by scaffolds play an important role in ligament and tendon tissue regeneration.…”

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

“…Sahoo et al 98 have thus developed a scaffold that comprised PLGA n-fibers e-spun onto the surfaces of a knitted PLGA scaffold, to combine favored properties (mechanical strength and integrity) of knitted microfibers to those of n-fibers (large surface area and the better hydrophilicity), with improved cell attachment, ECM deposition and tissue formation. Porcine bone marrow stromal cells were seeded onto these scaffolds and also on control knitted PLGA scaffolds.…”

Evaluation of structural and mechanical properties of electrospun nano-micro hybrid of poly hydroxybutyrate-chitosan/silk scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering

“…The final hybrid scaffold is accompanied by increasing the surface area and pore size reduction of scaffolds, better adhesion of cells, and the formation of new tissue and extracellular matrix. [15] Growth and cell proliferation on knitted scaffolds in comparison with woven scaffolds also have significantly increased due to dense structure and low porosity of woven scaffolds. Terms of mechanical properties of woven scaffolds showed much better rigidity and strength than knitted substrate.…”