Fibrous hydrogels by electrospinning: Novel platforms for biomedical applications

Abstract

Hydrogels, hydrophilic and biocompatible polymeric networks, have been used for numerous biomedical applications because they have exhibited abilities to mimic features of extracellular matrix (ECM). In particular, the hydrogels engineered with electrospinning techniques have shown great performances in biomedical applications. Electrospinning techniques are to generate polymeric micro/nanofibers that can mimic geometries of natural ECM by drawing micro/nanofibers from polymer precursors with electrical forces, followed by structural stabilization of them. By exploiting the electrospinning techniques, the fibrous hydrogels have been fabricated and utilized as 2D/3D cell culture platforms, implantable scaffolds, and wound dressings. In addition, some hydrogels that respond to external stimuli have been used to develop biosensors. For comprehensive understanding, this review covers electrospinning processes, hydrogel precursors used for electrospinning, characteristics of fibrous hydrogels and specific biomedical applications of electrospun fibrous hydrogels and highlight their potential to promote use in biomedical applications.

Photo-cross-linked Hydrogels for Cartilage and Osteochondral Repair

“…In cartilage and osteochondral tissue engineering, they can promote the differentiation of progenitor cells into chondrocytes (such as TGF-β1, IGF-1, and KGN), − promote the proliferation of chondrocytes (such as FGF, EGF), , and promote matrix synthesis (such as BMP-2, -4, -6, and -7, IGF-1, TGF-1, TGF-β1), − etc. Some biomolecules play an important role in controlling inflammation (such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen), which showed therapeutic effects in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as OA.…”