Pneumatospinning Biomimetic Scaffolds for Meniscus Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated via electrospinning have been proposed for meniscus tissue regeneration. However, the electrospinning process is slow, and can only generate scaffolds of limited thickness with densely packed fibers, which limits cell distribution within the scaffold. In this study, we explored whether pneumatospinning could produce thicker collagen type I fibrous scaffolds with higher porosity, that can support cell infiltration and neo-fibrocartilage tissue formation for meniscus tissue engineering. We pneumatospun scaffolds with solutions of collagen type I with thicknesses of approximately 1 mm in 2 h. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a mix of fiber sizes with diameters ranging from 1 to 30 µm. The collagen scaffold porosity was approximately 48% with pores ranging from 7.4 to 100.7 µm. The elastic modulus of glutaraldehyde crosslinked collagen scaffolds was approximately 45 MPa, when dry, which reduced after hydration to 0.1 MPa. Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the infrapatellar fat pad were seeded in the scaffold with high viability (>70%). Scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived stem cells and cultured for 3 weeks exhibited a fibrocartilage meniscus-like phenotype (expressing COL1A1, COL2A1 and COMP). Ex vivo implantation in healthy bovine and arthritic human meniscal explants resulted in the development of fibrocartilage-like neotissues that integrated with the host tissue with deposition of glycosaminoglycans and collagens type I and II. Our proof-of-concept study indicates that pneumatospinning is a promising approach to produce thicker biomimetic scaffolds more efficiently that electrospinning, and with a porosity that supports cell growth and neo-tissue formation using a clinically relevant cell source.

Comparison of temporomandibular joint disc, meniscus, and intervertebral disc in fundamental characteristics and tissue engineering

“…For all three fibrocartilage discs, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) are suitable, for that BM‐MSC‐seeded scaffolds outperform scaffolds embedded with meniscus cells for engineered meniscus and CC‐seeded scaffolds for engineered TMJ disc 48–50 . Additionally, adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can support all three fibrocartilage discs' healing due to accessibility and released cytokines or growth factors for recovery 50–53 . Moreover, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate into fibrochondrocyte‐like cells, as a significant step towards engineered discs.…”

“…[48][49][50] Additionally, adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can support all three fibrocartilage discs' healing due to accessibility and released cytokines or growth factors for recovery. [50][51][52][53] Moreover, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate into fibrochondrocyte-like cells, as a significant step towards engineered discs. For engineered TMJ disc and meniscus, synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SDSCs) can be feasible choices.…”

“…As one of natural polymers, collagen scaffold beneficial for functional tissue-formation is feasible for all three engineered discs. 53,60 Specially, for engineered TMJ disc, porcine urinary bladder extracellular matrix (UB-ECM) can be chosen as a scaffold, attributed to functional tissue-formation. 61 For engineered TMJ disc and meniscus, small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffold may be a solution.…”

A Comparative Study on Two Types of Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Sponges Prepared by Thermal Crosslinking and Thermal-Glutaraldehyde Crosslinking Matrix Microparticles

“…Glutaraldehyde is considered to be potentially cytotoxic caused by residual un-crosslinked agent which possibly forms a non-specific bond with the ECM. However, it has been reported that the low concentration of glutaraldehyde used to crosslink collagen scaffold could be fully removed after rinsing without cytotoxicity (Dorthé et al, 2022;Wu et al, 2022). Thus, to increase mechanical strength, the glutaraldehyde in a low concentration was introduced to ADM sponges after thermal crosslinking of matrix microparticles.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Tilapia Collagen-Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composite Nanofiber Membranes

“…This, in turn, acts as a source of foundation materials for the repair of natural tissue and provides an environment for cell adhesion and proliferation. These collagen-based natural tissue repair materials are frequently used in skin, tendons, blood vessels, as well as nerve and bone regeneration [ 4 , 5 ]. The risk of disease transmission and religious factors have limited traditional collagen such as bovine and pig collagen [ 6 ].…”