Molecularly Imprinted Intelligent Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

The development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using biocompatible production methods enables the possibility to further exploit this technology for biomedical applications. Tissue engineering (TE) approaches use the knowledge of the wound healing process to design scaffolds capable of modulating cell behavior and promote tissue regeneration. Biomacromolecules bear great interest for TE, together with the established recognition of the extracellular matrix, as an important source of signals to cells, both promoting cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during the healing process. This review focuses on exploring the potential of protein molecular imprinting to create bioactive scaffolds with molecular recognition for TE applications based on the most recent approaches in the field of molecular imprinting of macromolecules. Considerations regarding essential components of molecular imprinting technology will be addressed for TE purposes. Molecular imprinting of biocompatible hydrogels, namely based on natural polymers, is also reviewed here. Hydrogel scaffolds with molecular memory show great promise for regenerative therapies. The first molecular imprinting studies analyzing cell adhesion report promising results with potential applications for cell culture systems, or biomaterials for implantation with the capability for cell recruitment by selectively adsorbing desired molecules.

Vision for Functionally Decorated and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Regenerative Engineering

“…Moreover, the development of MIPs for applications in regenerative engineering is an area of future study [47]. Some recent studies, mostly designed for biosensing applications, suggest that rationally designed MIP materials are capable of recognizing template cells [48, 49].…”

Tuning the biomimetic behavior of scaffolds for regenerative medicine through surface modifications

“…Hydrogels are cross‐linked, insoluble polymers that absorb large amounts of water. These polymers have a high degree of chemical design flexibility, supporting a variety of biomimetic systems (Clegg, Wechsler, & Peppas, ; De Witte, Fratila‐Apachitei, Zadpoor, & Peppas, ; Neves et al, ). In fact, hydrogels actively respond to the environment based on mechanisms such as pH‐dependent swelling and molecular sensing (Clegg et al, ; Peppas & Van Blarcom, ).…”

Student award for outstanding research winner in the Ph.D. category for the 2017 society for biomaterials annual meeting and exposition, april 5–8, 2017, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Characterization of protein interactions with molecularly imprinted hydrogels that possess engineered affinity for high isoelectric point biomarkers

“…In recent years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been suggested as a synthetic alternative to antibodies and antibody‐conjugates for medical applications including diagnostic biosensing, targeted drug delivery, regenerative medicine . Compared to antibodies, synthetic polymers are robust to environmental conditions, highly reproducible, and inexpensive .…”

“…High isoelectric point proteins currently administered for therapeutic purposes include, but are not limited to, erythropoietin, calcitonin, interferon‐β, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and bone morphogenic protein‐2 (BMP‐2). Increasing a material's affinity for one of these therapeutic proteins through the inclusion of a low‐cost analogue template would dramatically improve its utility as a component of a biosensor, controlled release system, or engineered tissue construct …”

“…In recent years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been suggested as a synthetic alternative to antibodies and antibody-conjugates for medical applications including diagnostic biosensing, 1 targeted drug delivery, 2 regenerative medicine. 3 Compared to antibodies, synthetic polymers are robust to environmental conditions, highly reproducible, and inexpensive. 4 Therefore, the development of a synthetic MIP system with specificity for disease biomarkers can make a significant impact in the medical field, particularly in global regions where advanced healthcare infrastructure is lacking.…”