Tissue engineering with nano-fibrous scaffolds

Abstract

Tissue Engineering is a rapidly evolving field in terms of cell source and scaffold fabrication. As the template for three dimensional tissue growth, the scaffold should emulate the native extracellular matrix, which is nano-fibrous. Currently, there are three basic techniques capable of generating nanofibrous scaffolding: electrospinning, molecular self-assembly, and thermally induced phase separation. These scaffolds can then be further modified by various three dimensional surface modification techniques if necessary to more precisely emulate the native extracellular matrix. However, even without further modification, nano-fibrous scaffolds have been shown to have advantageous effects on cellular behavior and tissue formation when compared to more traditional types of scaffolding. This review focuses on the current state of tissue engineering with nano-fibrous scaffolding with particular emphasis on bone tissue engineering.

Hepatic differentiation from human mesenchymal stem cells on a novel nanofiber scaffold

“…It is possible to manipulate the regions to which cells will adhere and grow by modifying the surface chemistry of scaffolds with charged gas plasma polymerization deposition [25,39,40]. The ability to change the adherent properties of the cells to the PLLA scaffold allows the manipulation of the important cell intrusion phase and subsequent tissue development [40,41]. Many polymers do not have the desired surface properties to be used as biomaterials.…”

“…The natural scaffold of the cells in human tissues, ECM, is nano-structured and is composed of protein fibers which produce a 3D matrix for cells to attach, differentiate and proliferate. An ideal scaffold should mimic the natural properties of ECM such as porosity and nanosized structure [40]. With respect to the applications of nanofibers for tissue engineering, our aim was to design an artificial matrix that can mimic ECM, in order to support the attachment and differentiation of hMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells.…”

Positive impact of IGF-1-coupled nanoparticles on the differentiation potential of human chondrocytes cultured on collagen scaffolds

“…25 The reason for this is the nanoscale fibrous structure (50-500 nm in diameter) offering binding sites that are comparable to the native matrix in vivo. 28 In the present in vitro study, a bioresorbable collagen scaffold that was clinically used for the surgical filling of articular cartilage defects was enriched with IGF-1, in suspension or attached to nanoparticles, to compare which route of administration has a greater impact on the regenerative potential of chondrocytes. We hypothesized that cell viability, proliferation, and production of the extracellular matrix will be increased by the addition of IGF-1 administered in the form of sNP.…”

Fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications

“…pH, solvent, light, salt addition, and temperature). The key challenge in self-assembly is to design molecular building blocks that can undergo spontaneous organization into a well-defi ned pattern that mimic the structural features of biological systems (Smith et al , 2008 ). Small building blocks, including small molecules, nucleic acids, and peptides, can self-assemble into nanofi brous structures.…”

“…In tissue engineering, the chemical and physical characteristics of the biomaterial surface strongly impact on cell behavior, such as migration, attachment, and proliferation (Jiao and Cui, 2007 ). Although various degradable and non-degradable synthetic polymers have been used as tissue engineering scaffolding materials, a shortcoming of these materials is their lack of biological recognition (Smith et al , 2008 ). Currently, several techniques have been developed to modify the scaffold surface including physical coating and blending, plasma treatment, graft polymerization, and wet chemical methods ( Fig.…”