Electrospun nanofiber scaffold for vascular tissue engineering

Abstract

Due to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, there is a large need for small diameter vascular grafts that cannot be fulfilled using autologous vessels. Although medium to large diameter synthetic vessels are in use, no suitable small diameter vascular graft has been developed due to the unique dynamic environment that exists in small vessels. To achieve long term patency, a successful tissue engineered vascular graft would need to closely match the mechanical properties of native tissue, be non-thrombotic and non-immunogenic, and elicit the proper healing response and undergo remodeling to incorporate into the native vasculature. Electrospinning presents a promising approach to the development of a suitable tissue engineered vascular graft. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the different polymers, techniques, and functionalization approaches that have been used to develop an electrospun tissue engineered vascular graft.

Bioabsorption of Subcutaneous Nanofibrous Scaffolds Influences the Engraftment and Function of Neonatal Porcine Islets

“…Since, native PCL and PLGA polymers do not contain natural cell recognition motifs such as RGD [ 34 , 47 ], we functionalized these polymers with peptide mimics such as cell-adhesion peptide RGD, VEGF-mimicking QK peptide and laminin-mimicking IKLLI peptide. For the PCL fibrous scaffold, functionalized was achieved via ultraviolet cross-linking; whereas for PLGA, a physical method blended with gelatin (partially hydrolysed collagen that preserves the cell adhesion of the RGD motif) was performed, which enables better bioabsorption, superior cell adhesion and subsequent vascularization compared to PLGA and PCL [ 34 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Functionalization of Electrospun Nanofiber for Bone Tissue Engineering

“…The electrostatic repulsion generated by high voltage power supply makes the droplet deform and form a Taylor cone where a jet is spurted. After a series of movements, the jet is stretched into fibers with different diameters which accumulate on the collector with the evaporation of the solvent [ 52 , 71 ]. Many parameters affect this process such as solution concentration, voltage, distance between needle and collector, solution flow rate and so on [ 72 ].…”

“…Organic polymer materials are mainly used for matrix materials. Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with a semi-crystalline structure maintains excellent mechanical properties under the physiological conditions [ 52 ]. Moreover, PCL electrospun nanofibers enhanced the osteoblastic behavior of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and accelerated calcium phosphate (CaP) mineralization [ 53 ].…”

Engineering biomaterials to 3D-print scaffolds for bone regeneration: practical and theoretical consideration

“…55 In the case of bone scaffolds, wherein blood vessels will be formed in the course of tissue regeneration, the formation of blood clots must be avoided to prevent thrombosis, an event of blocking blood flow through the blood vessels due to blood clotting. 55,58,59 For this purpose, surface modification of the polymer biomaterials with an anticoagulant such as heparin is an effective method, through the ionic or covalent addition into the polymer chain, to avoid blood clotting. [60][61][62] The wound-healing response of the body is immediately triggered through wounding post implantation.…”