Design of porous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering using a three-dimensional fiber-deposition technique

Evaluation of Cartilage Repair by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on a PEOT/PBT Scaffold in an Osteochondral Defect

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-seeded polyethylene-oxide-terephthalate/polybutylene-terephthalate (PEOT/PBT) scaffold for cartilage tissue repair in an osteochondral defect using a rabbit model. Material characterisation using scanning electron microscopy indicated that the scaffold had a 3D architecture characteristic of the additive manufacturing fabrication method, with a strut diameter of 296 ± 52 μm and a pore size of 512 ± 22 μm × 476 ± 25 μm × 180 ± 30 μm. In vitro optimisation revealed that the scaffold did not generate an adverse cell response, optimal cell loading conditions were achieved using 50 μg/ml fibronectin and a cell seeding density of 25 × 10(6) cells/ml and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation after 28 days culture in the presence of TGFβ3 indicated positive chondrogenesis. Cell-seeded scaffolds were implanted in osteochondral defects for 12 weeks, with cell-free scaffolds and empty defects employed as controls. On examination of toluidine blue staining for chondrogenesis and GAG accumulation, both the empty defect and the cell-seeded scaffold appeared to promote repair. However, the empty defect and the cell-free scaffold stained positive for collagen type I or fibrocartilage, while the cell-seeded scaffold stained positive for collagen type II indicative of hyaline cartilage and was statistically better than the cell-free scaffold in the blinded histological evaluation. In summary, MSCs in combination with a 3D PEOT/PBT scaffold created a reparative environment for cartilage repair.

Preparation and characterization of a decellularized cartilage scaffold for ear cartilage reconstruction

Scaffolds are widely used to reconstruct cartilage. Yet, the fabrication of a scaffold with a highly organized microenvironment that closely resembles native cartilage remains a major challenge. Scaffolds derived from acellular extracellular matrices are able to provide such a microenvironment. Currently, no report specifically on decellularization of full thickness ear cartilage has been published. In this study, decellularized ear cartilage scaffolds were prepared and extensively characterized. Cartilage decellularization was optimized to remove cells and cell remnants from elastic cartilage. Following removal of nuclear material, the obtained scaffolds retained their native collagen and elastin contents as well as their architecture and shape. High magnification scanning electron microscopy showed no obvious difference in matrix density after decellularization. However, glycosaminoglycan content was significantly reduced, resulting in a loss of viscoelastic properties. Additionally, in contact with the scaffolds, human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells remained viable and are able to differentiate toward the chondrogenic lineage when cultured in vitro. These results, including the ability to decellularize whole human ears, highlight the clinical potential of decellularization as an improved cartilage reconstruction strategy.

Influence of PCL molecular weight on mesenchymal stromal cell differentiation

The molecular weight of polycaprolactone was varied to investigate its effect on stem cell activity. Results showed that polymer molecular weight is an additional parameter to consider when designing scaffolds for skeletal regeneration.

Fabrication of polymeric biomaterials: a strategy for tissue engineering and medical devices

Fabrication of biomaterials scaffolds using various methods and techniques is discussed, utilising biocompatible, biodegradable and stimuli-responsive polymers and their composites. This review covers the lithography and printing techniques, self-organisation and self-assembly methods for 3D structural scaffolds generation, and smart hydrogels, for tissue regeneration and medical devices.

Novel injectable porous poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) microspheres for cartilage tissue engineering: preparation and evaluation

A novel injectable synthetic polypeptide of a poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) macroporous microcarrier was developed for cartilage tissue engineering.

Effect of compatibilizers on in vitro biocompatibility of PLA–HA bioscaffold

This paper exclusively describes the biocompatibility evaluation of biodegradable PLA–HA-based composites as temporary bone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in orthopaedic applications. For that purpose, a set of composites were prepared using 3D melt-deposition method that comprises a biopolymer namely polylactic acid (PLA), and a bioceramic filler, namely hydroxyapatite (HA) 10 wt%, and compatibilizers, namely poly acrylic acid (PAA) 2 wt% and maleic anhydirde (MAH) 2 wt%. The composite samples were evaluated by in vitro assays and biodegradability tests were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For the in vitro analysis, osteogenic-induced stem cells were seeded onto the composite scaffold. An inverted optical microscope with computerised image analysis system was used to obtain data regarding cell attachment and contact characteristics after seeding for 48 h. Results showed that the PLA–HA-based composites did not induce adverse reactions from the cells, which in addition to their bone-matching mechanical properties makes them promising materials for bone scaffold applications.

Hyaluronic acid enhances the mechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs

There is a need for materials that are well suited for cartilage tissue engineering. Hydrogels have emerged as promising biomaterials for cartilage repair, since, like cartilage, they have high water content, and they allow cells to be encapsulated within the material in a genuinely three-dimensional microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the mechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs using in vitro culture models incorporating human chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients. We evaluated hydrogels formed from mixtures of photocrosslinkable gelatin-methacrylamide (Gel-MA) and varying concentrations (0–2%) of hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HA-MA). Initially, only small differences in the stiffness of each hydrogel existed. After 4 weeks of culture, and to a greater extent 8 weeks of culture, HA-MA had striking and concentration dependent impact on the changes in mechanical properties. For example, the initial compressive moduli of cell-laden constructs with 0 and 1% HA-MA were 29 and 41 kPa, respectively. After 8 weeks of culture, the moduli of these constructs had increased to 66 and 147 kPa respectively, representing a net improvement of 69 kPa for gels with 1% HA-MA. Similarly the equilibrium modulus, dynamic modulus, failure strength and failure strain were all improved in constructs containing HA-MA. Differences in mechanical properties did not correlate with glycosaminoglycan content, which did not vary greatly between groups, yet there were clear differences in aggrecan intensity and distribution as assessed using immunostaining. Based on the functional development with time in culture using human chondrocytes, mixtures of Gel-MA and HA-MA are promising candidates for cartilage tissue-engineering applications.

Rapid prototyping amphiphilic polymer/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds with hydration-induced self-fixation behavior

Two major factors hampering the broad use of rapid prototyped biomaterials for tissue engineering applications are the requirement for custom-designed or expensive research-grade three-dimensional (3D) printers and the limited selection of suitable thermoplastic biomaterials exhibiting physical characteristics desired for facile surgical handling and biological properties encouraging tissue integration. Properly designed thermoplastic biodegradable amphiphilic polymers can exhibit hydration-dependent hydrophilicity changes and stiffening behavior, which may be exploited to facilitate the surgical delivery/self-fixation of the scaffold within a physiological tissue environment. Compared to conventional hydrophobic polyesters, they also present significant advantages in blending with hydrophilic osteoconductive minerals with improved interfacial adhesion for bone tissue engineering applications. Here, we demonstrated the excellent blending of biodegradable, amphiphilic poly(D,L-lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA-PEG-PLA) (PELA) triblock co-polymer with hydroxyapatite (HA) and the fabrication of high-quality rapid prototyped 3D macroporous composite scaffolds using an unmodified consumer-grade 3D printer. The rapid prototyped HA-PELA composite scaffolds and the PELA control (without HA) swelled (66% and 44% volume increases, respectively) and stiffened (1.38-fold and 4-fold increases in compressive modulus, respectively) in water. To test the hypothesis that the hydration-induced physical changes can translate into self-fixation properties of the scaffolds within a confined defect, a straightforward in vitro pull-out test was designed to quantify the peak force required to dislodge these scaffolds from a simulated cylindrical defect at dry versus wet states. Consistent with our hypothesis, the peak fixation force measured for the PELA and HA-PELA scaffolds increased 6-fold and 15-fold upon hydration, respectively. Furthermore, we showed that the low-fouling 3D PELA inhibited the attachment of NIH3T3 fibroblasts or bone marrow stromal cells while the HA-PELA readily supported cellular attachment and osteogenic differentiation. Finally, we demonstrated the feasibility of rapid prototyping biphasic PELA/HA-PELA scaffolds for potential guided bone regeneration where an osteoconductive scaffold interior encouraging osteointegration and a nonadhesive surface discouraging fibrous tissue encapsulation is desired. This work demonstrated that by combining facile and readily translatable rapid prototyping approaches with unique biomaterial designs, biodegradable composite scaffolds with well-controlled macroporosities, spatially defined biological microenvironment, and useful handling characteristics can be developed.

Tuning surface properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) melt blown fibers by alkaline hydrolysis and fluorination

The wetting properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) melt blown fibers were tuned by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent fluorination. Fiber mats were exposed to a NaOH methanol solution for controlled periods of time at several temperatures, resulting in surface hydrolysis (h-PBT). Subsequent simple solution chemistry was applied to the h-PBT fibers, leading to fluorination of the surface (f-PBT) and the transformation of the wetting properties of the material. Electron microscopy revealed that hydrolysis leads to a textured surface that is retained in the fluorinated product. Sessile drop wetting measurements demonstrated superhydrophilicity for the h-PBT fiber mats and sticky superhydrophobicity with the f-PBT fiber mat.

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) scaffolds coated with PhaP-RGD fusion protein promotes the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been widely used in tissue engineering. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) scaffolds coated with polyhydroxyalkanoate binding protein fused with arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (PhaP-RGD) to promote the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of hUC-MSCs seeded on them. The PhaP-RGD fusion protein was expressed by Escherichia coli. PHBHHx films were coated with PhaP-RGD fusion protein and the physiochemical properties were examined. hUC-MSCs were seeded on PHBHHx films with or without PhaP-RGD precoating and tested for changes in morphology, viability, and chondrogenic differentiation. We found that PhaP-RGD-coated PHBHHx films had similar surface morphology to uncoated PHBHHx. The water contact angle of the coated PHBHHx surface was lower than that of the uncoated surface (10.63° vs. 98.69°). At 7 and 14 days after seeding, the PhaP-RGD-coated PHBHHx group showed greater numbers of viable cells compared to the uncoated PHBHHx group. The expression levels of aggrecan and collagen II were enhanced in the PhaP-RGD-coated PHBHHx group relative to the uncoated PHBHHx group. Histological analysis using toluidine blue staining showed elevated formation of proteoglycan producing chondrocytes in the PhaP-RGD-coated PHBHHx group. Additionally, the synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen was significantly enhanced within the PhaP-RGD constructs. Taken together, PhaP-RGD coating promotes the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of hUC-MSCs seeded on PHBHHx films. PhaP-RGD-coated PHBHHx may be a useful scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.

Strategies for osteochondral repair: Focus on scaffolds

Interest in osteochondral repair has been increasing with the growing number of sports-related injuries, accident traumas, and congenital diseases and disorders. Although therapeutic interventions are entering an advanced stage, current surgical procedures are still in their infancy. Unlike other tissues, the osteochondral zone shows a high level of gradient and interfacial tissue organization between bone and cartilage, and thus has unique characteristics related to the ability to resist mechanical compression and restoration. Among the possible therapies, tissue engineering of osteochondral tissues has shown considerable promise where multiple approaches of utilizing cells, scaffolds, and signaling molecules have been pursued. This review focuses particularly on the importance of scaffold design and its role in the success of osteochondral tissue engineering. Biphasic and gradient composition with proper pore configurations are the basic design consideration for scaffolds. Surface modification is an essential technique to improve the scaffold function associated with cell regulation or delivery of signaling molecules. The use of functional scaffolds with a controllable delivery strategy of multiple signaling molecules is also considered a promising therapeutic approach. In this review, we updated the recent advances in scaffolding approaches for osteochondral tissue engineering.

Chondrogenesis of infrapatellar fat pad derived adipose stem cells in 3D printed chitosan scaffold

Infrapatellar fat pad adipose stem cells (IPFP-ASCs) have been shown to harbor chondrogenic potential. When combined with 3D polymeric structures, the stem cells provide a source of stem cells to engineer 3D tissues for cartilage repair. In this study, we have shown human IPFP-ASCs seeded onto 3D printed chitosan scaffolds can undergo chondrogenesis using TGFβ3 and BMP6. By week 4, a pearlescent, cartilage-like matrix had formed that penetrated the top layers of the chitosan scaffold forming a 'cap' on the scaffold. Chondrocytic morphology showed typical cells encased in extracellular matrix which stained positively with toluidine blue. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positive staining for collagen type II and cartilage proteoglycans, as well as collagen type I. Real time PCR analysis showed up-regulation of collagen type II, aggrecan and SOX9 genes when IPFP-ASCs were stimulated by TGFβ3 and BMP6. Thus, IPFP-ASCs can successfully undergo chondrogenesis using TGFβ3 and BMP6 and the cartilage-like tissue that forms on the surface of 3D-printed chitosan scaffold may prove useful as an osteochondral graft.

Solid Free-form Fabrication Technology and Its Application to Bone Tissue Engineering

The development of scaffolds for use in cell-based therapies to repair damaged bone tissue has become a critical component in the field of bone tissue engineering. However, design of scaffolds using conventional fabrication techniques has limited further advancement, due to a lack of the required precision and reproducibility. To overcome these constraints, bone tissue engineers have focused on solid free-form fabrication (SFF) techniques to generate porous, fully interconnected scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. This paper reviews the potential application of SFF fabrication technologies for bone tissue engineering with respect to scaffold fabrication. In the near future, bone scaffolds made using SFF apparatus should become effective therapies for bone defects.

Pore size effect of collagen scaffolds on cartilage regeneration

Scaffold pore size is an important factor affecting tissue regeneration efficiency. The effect of pore size on cartilage tissue regeneration was compared by using four types of collagen porous scaffolds with different pore sizes. The collagen porous scaffolds were prepared by using pre-prepared ice particulates that had diameters of 150-250, 250-355, 355-425 and 425-500μm. All the scaffolds had spherical large pores with good interconnectivity and high porosity that facilitated cell seeding and spatial cell distribution. Chondrocytes adhered to the walls of the spherical pores and showed a homogeneous distribution throughout the scaffolds. The in vivo implantation results indicated that the pore size did not exhibit any obvious effect on cell proliferation but exhibited different effects on cartilage regeneration. The collagen porous scaffolds prepared with ice particulates 150-250μm in size best promoted the expression and production of type II collagen and aggrecan, increasing the formation and the mechanical properties of the cartilage.

Hierarchical multilayer assembly of an ordered nanofibrous scaffold via thermal fusion bonding

A major challenge in muscle tissue engineering is mimicking the ordered nanostructure of native collagen fibrils in muscles. Electrospun nanofiber constructs have been proposed as promising candidate alternatives to natural extracellular matrix. Here, we introduce a novel method to fabricate a two-dimension (2D) sheet-type and three-dimensionally integrated nanofibrous scaffolds by combining electrospinning and rapid prototyping. The aligned 2D nanofiber mats can be processed into different configurations by the CAD/CAM-based deposition of thermally extruded microstructures. We demonstrate the feasibility of these microstructures for application in muscle tissue engineering by culturing C2C12 myoblasts and then evaluating their viability and alignment. Highly aligned cellular morphologies were successfully achieved along the direction of the nanofibers in all types of scaffolds. The hybrid scaffolds provided mechanical support and served as a topographical guide at the nanoscale, exhibiting their potential to meet the requirements for practical use in tissue engineering applications.

The effect of scaffold macroporosity on angiogenesis and cell survival in tissue-engineered smooth muscle

Angiogenesis and survival of cells within thick scaffolds is a major concern in tissue engineering. The purpose of this study is to increase the survival of intestinal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in implanted tissue-engineered constructs. We incorporated 250-μm pores in multi-layered, electrospun scaffolds with a macroporosity ranging from 15% to 25% to facilitate angiogenesis. The survival of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing SMCs was evaluated after 2 weeks of implantation. Whereas host cellular infiltration was similar in scaffolds with different macroporosities, blood vessel development increased with increasing macroporosity. Scaffolds with 25% macropores had the most GFP-expressing SMCs, which correlated with the highest degree of angiogenesis over 1 mm away from the outermost layer. The 25% macroporous group exceeded a critical threshold of macropore connectivity, accelerating angiogenesis and improving implanted cell survival in a tissue-engineered smooth muscle construct.

Highly porous drug-eluting structures: from wound dressings to stents and scaffolds for tissue regeneration

For many biomedical applications, there is need for porous implant materials. The current article focuses on a method for preparation of drug-eluting porous structures for various biomedical applications, based on freeze drying of inverted emulsions. This fabrication process enables the incorporation of any drug, to obtain an "active implant" that releases drugs to the surrounding tissue in a controlled desired manner. Examples for porous implants based on this technique are antibiotic-eluting mesh/matrix structures used for wound healing applications, antiproliferative drug-eluting composite fibers for stent applications and local cancer treatment, and protein-eluting films for tissue regeneration applications. In the current review we focus on these systems. We show that the release profiles of both types of drugs, water-soluble and water-insoluble, are affected by the emulsion's formulation parameters. The former's release profile is affected mainly through the emulsion stability and the resulting porous microstructure, whereas the latter's release mechanism occurs via water uptake and degradation of the host polymer. Hence, appropriate selection of the formulation parameters enables to obtain desired controllable release profile of any bioactive agent, water-soluble or water-insoluble, and also fit its physical properties to the application.

New Developments of Ti-Based Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Ti-based alloys are finding ever-increasing applications in biomaterials due to their excellent mechanical, physical and biological performance. Nowdays, low modulus β-type Ti-based alloys are still being developed. Meanwhile, porous Ti-based alloys are being developed as an alternative orthopedic implant material, as they can provide good biological fixation through bone tissue ingrowth into the porous network. This paper focuses on recent developments of biomedical Ti-based alloys. It can be divided into four main sections. The first section focuses on the fundamental requirements titanium biomaterial should fulfill and its market and application prospects. This section is followed by discussing basic phases, alloying elements and mechanical properties of low modulus β-type Ti-based alloys. Thermal treatment, grain size, texture and properties in Ti-based alloys and their limitations are dicussed in the third section. Finally, the fourth section reviews the influence of microstructural configurations on mechanical properties of porous Ti-based alloys and all known methods for fabricating porous Ti-based alloys. This section also reviews prospects and challenges of porous Ti-based alloys, emphasizing their current status, future opportunities and obstacles for expanded applications. Overall, efforts have been made to reveal the latest scenario of bulk and porous Ti-based materials for biomedical applications.

Current trends in the design of scaffolds for computer-aided tissue engineering

Advances introduced by additive manufacturing have significantly improved the ability to tailor scaffold architecture, enhancing the control over microstructural features. This has led to a growing interest in the development of innovative scaffold designs, as testified by the increasing amount of research activities devoted to the understanding of the correlation between topological features of scaffolds and their resulting properties, in order to find architectures capable of optimal trade-off between often conflicting requirements (such as biological and mechanical ones). The main aim of this paper is to provide a review and propose a classification of existing methodologies for scaffold design and optimization in order to address key issues and help in deciphering the complex link between design criteria and resulting scaffold properties.

3D braid scaffolds for regeneration of articular cartilage

Regenerating articular cartilage in vivo from cultured chondrocytes requires that the cells be cultured and implanted within a biocompatible, biodegradable scaffold. Such scaffolds must be mechanically stable; otherwise chondrocytes would not be supported and patients would experience severe pain. Here we report a new 3D braid scaffold that matches the anisotropic (gradient) mechanical properties of natural articular cartilage and is permissive to cell cultivation. To design an optimal structure, the scaffold unit cell was mathematically modeled and imported into finite element analysis. Based on this analysis, a 3D braid structure with gradient axial yarn distribution was designed and manufactured using a custom-built braiding machine. The mechanical properties of the 3D braid scaffold were evaluated and compared with simulated results, demonstrating that a multi-scale approach consisting of unit cell modeling and continuum analysis facilitates design of scaffolds that meet the requirements for mechanical compatibility with tissues.

Design and preparation of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering

Polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering can be prepared with a multitude of different techniques. Many diverse approaches have recently been under development. The adaptation of conventional preparation methods, such as electrospinning, induced phase separation of polymer solutions or porogen leaching, which were developed originally for other research areas, are described. In addition, the utilization of novel fabrication techniques, such as rapid prototyping or solid free-form procedures, with their many different methods to generate or to embody scaffold structures or the usage of self-assembly systems that mimic the properties of the extracellular matrix are also described. These methods are reviewed and evaluated with specific regard to their utility in the area of tissue engineering.

Increased cell seeding efficiency in bioplotted three-dimensional PEOT/PBT scaffolds

In regenerative medicine studies, cell seeding efficiency is not only optimized by changing the chemistry of the biomaterials used as cell culture substrates, but also by altering scaffold geometry, culture and seeding conditions. In this study, the importance of seeding parameters, such as initial cell number, seeding volume, seeding concentration and seeding condition is shown. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were seeded into cylindrically shaped 4 × 3 mm polymeric scaffolds, fabricated by fused deposition modelling. The initial cell number ranged from 5 × 10(4) to 8 × 10(5) cells, in volumes varying from 50 µl to 400 µl. To study the effect of seeding conditions, a dynamic system, by means of an agitation plate, was compared with static culture for both scaffolds placed in a well plate or in a confined agarose moulded well. Cell seeding efficiency decreased when seeded with high initial cell numbers, whereas 2 × 10(5) cells seemed to be an optimal initial cell number in the scaffolds used here. The influence of seeding volume was shown to be dependent on the initial cell number used. By optimizing seeding parameters for each specific culture system, a more efficient use of donor cells can be achieved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The first systematic analysis of 3D rapid prototyped poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds manufactured through BioCell printing: the effect of pore size and geometry on compressive mechanical behaviour and in vitro hMSC viability

Novel additive manufacturing processes are increasingly recognized as ideal techniques to produce 3D biodegradable structures with optimal pore size and spatial distribution, providing an adequate mechanical support for tissue regeneration while shaping in-growing tissues. With regard to the mechanical and biological performances of 3D scaffolds, pore size and geometry play a crucial role. In this study, a novel integrated automated system for the production and in vitro culture of 3D constructs, known as BioCell Printing, was used only to manufacture poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds for tissue engineering; the influence of pore size and shape on their mechanical and biological performances was investigated. Imposing a single lay-down pattern of 0°/90° and varying the filament distance, it was possible to produce scaffolds with square interconnected pores with channel sizes falling in the range of 245-433 µm, porosity 49-57% and a constant road width. Three different lay-down patterns were also adopted (0°/90°, 0°/60/120° and 0°/45°/90°/135°), thus resulting in scaffolds with quadrangular, triangular and complex internal geometries, respectively. Mechanical compression tests revealed a decrease of scaffold stiffness with the increasing porosity and number of deposition angles (from 0°/90° to 0°/45°/90°/135°). Results from biological analysis, carried out using human mesenchymal stem cells, suggest a strong influence of pore size and geometry on cell viability. On the other hand, after 21 days of in vitro static culture, it was not possible to detect any significant variation in terms of cell morphology promoted by scaffold topology. As a first systematic analysis, the obtained results clearly demonstrate the potential of the BioCell Printing process to produce 3D scaffolds with reproducible well organized architectures and tailored mechanical properties.

A fast process for imprinting micro and nano patterns on electrospun fiber meshes at physiological temperatures

Electrospun fiber meshes are patterned at length scales comparable to or lower than their fiber diameter. Simple nano- and microgrooves and closed geometric shapes are imprinted in different tones using a fast imprint process at physiological temperatures. Human mesenchymal stromal cells cultured on patterned scaffolds show differences in cellular morphology and cytoskeleton organization. Microgrooved electrospun fibers support upregulation of alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene expression when cells are cultured in osteogenic medium.

Immature muscular tissue differentiation into bone-like tissue by bone morphogenetic proteins in vitro, with ossification potential in vivo

The objective of this study was to induce bone formation from immature muscular tissue (IMT) in vitro, using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) as a cytokine source and an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) scaffold. In addition, cultured IMTs were implanted subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to determine their in vivo ossification potential. BMPs, extracted from bovine cortical bones, were applied to embryonic SD rat IMT cultures, before 2 weeks culture on ePTFE scaffolds. Osteoblast-like cells and osteoid tissues were partially identified by hematoxylin-eosin staining 2 weeks after culture. Collagen type I (Col-I), osteopontin (OP), and osteocalcin (OC) were detected in the osteoid tissues by immunohistochemical staining. OC gene expression remained low, but OP and Col-I were upregulated during the culture period. In vivo implanted IMTs showed slight radiopacity 1 week after implantation and strong radiopacity 2 and 3 weeks after implantation. One week after implantation, migration of numerous capillaries was observed and ossification was detected after 2 weeks by histological observation. These results suggest that IMTs are able to differentiate into bone-like tissue in vitro, with an ossification potential after implantation in vivo.

Continuous gradient scaffolds for rapid screening of cell-material interactions and interfacial tissue regeneration

In tissue engineering, the physical and chemical properties of the scaffold mediates cell behavior, including regeneration. Thus a strategy that permits rapid screening of cell-scaffold interactions is critical. Herein, we have prepared eight "hybrid" hydrogel scaffolds in the form of continuous gradients such that a single scaffold contains spatially varied properties. These scaffolds are based on combining an inorganic macromer (methacrylated star polydimethylsiloxane, PDMSstar-MA) and organic macromer (poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate, PEG-DA) as well as both aqueous and organic fabrication solvents. Having previously demonstrated its bioactivity and osteoinductivity, PDMSstar-MA is a particularly powerful component to incorporate into instructive gradient scaffolds based on PEG-DA. The following parameters were varied to produce the different gradients or gradual transitions in: (1) the wt.% ratio of PDMSstar-MA to PEG-DA macromers, (2) the total wt.% macromer concentration, (3) the number average molecular weight (Mn) of PEG-DA and (4) the Mn of PDMSstar-MA. Upon dividing each scaffold into four "zones" perpendicular to the gradient, we were able to demonstrate the spatial variation in morphology, bioactivity, swelling and modulus. Among these gradient scaffolds are those in which swelling and modulus are conveniently decoupled. In addition to rapid screening of cell-material interactions, these scaffolds are well suited for regeneration of interfacial tissues (e.g. osteochondral tissues) that transition from one tissue type to another.

Pronounced biomaterial dependency in cartilage regeneration using nonexpanded compared with expanded chondrocytes

Aim: We aimed to investigate freshly isolated compared with culture-expanded chondrocytes with respect to early regenerative response, cytokine production and cartilage formation in response to four commonly used biomaterials. Materials & methods: Chondrocytes were both directly and after expansion to passage 2, incorporated into four biomaterials: Polyactive™, Beriplast®, HyStem® and a type II collagen gel. Early cartilage matrix gene expression, cytokine production and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content in response to these biomaterials were evaluated. Results: HyStem induced more GAG production, compared with all other biomaterials (p ≤ 0.001). Nonexpanded cells did not always produce more GAGs than expanded chondrocytes, as this was biomaterial-dependent. Cytokine production and early gene expression were not predictive for final regeneration. Conclusion: For chondrocyte-based cartilage treatments, the biomaterial best supporting cartilage matrix production will depend on the chondrocyte differentiation state and cannot be predicted from early gene expression or cytokine profile.

Preparation of collagen scaffolds with controlled pore structures and improved mechanical property for cartilage tissue engineering

Appropriate pore structures and mechanical properties are required for scaffolds that are used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, pre-prepared ice particulates were used as a porogen material to prepare collagen porous scaffolds with well-controlled pore structures and improved mechanical properties. Porogen ice particulates initiated the formation of interconnected large spherical pores surrounded by small pores. The large spherical pores were well compacted and increased the elastic modulus of the scaffolds. The unique pore structures facilitated cell penetration, resulting in a homogeneous cell distribution throughout the scaffolds. The excellent mechanical properties protected the scaffolds from deformation during cell culturing and implantation. The collagen porous scaffolds facilitated cartilage regeneration when bovine articular chondrocytes were cultured in these scaffolds. The use of pre-prepared ice particulates as a porogen material proved to be a useful method to control the pore structure and improve the mechanical properties of collagen-based porous scaffolds.

Melt-spun shaped fibers with enhanced surface effects: fiber fabrication, characterization and application to woven scaffolds

Scaffolds with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA:V) are advantageous with regard to the attachment and proliferation of cells in the field of tissue engineering. This paper reports on the development of novel melt-spun fibers with a high SA:V, which enhanced the surface effects of a fiber-based scaffold while maintaining its mechanical strength. The cross-section of the fibers was altered to a non-circular shape, producing a higher SA:V for a similar cross-sectional area. To obtain fibers with non-circular cross-sectional shape, or shaped fibers, three different types of metal spinnerets were fabricated for the melt-spinning process, each with circular, triangular or cruciform capillaries, using deep X-ray lithography followed by nickel electroforming. Using these spinnerets, circular and shaped fibers were manufactured with biodegradable polyester, polycaprolactone. The SA:V increase in the shaped fibers was experimentally investigated under different processing conditions. Tensile tests on the fibers and indentation tests on the woven fiber scaffolds were performed. The tested fibers and scaffolds exhibited similar mechanical characteristics, due to the similar cross-sectional area of the fibers. The degradation of the shaped fibers was notably faster than that of circular fibers, because of the enlarged surface area of the shaped fibers. The woven scaffolds composed of the shaped fibers significantly increased the proliferation of human osteosarcoma MG63 cells. This approach to increase the SA:V in shaped fibers could be useful for the fabrication of programmable, biodegradable fiber-based scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Modification of decellularized goat-lung scaffold with chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite composite for bone tissue engineering applications

Decellularized goat-lung scaffold was fabricated by removing cells from cadaver goat-lung tissue, and the scaffold was modified with chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite composite for the purpose of bone tissue engineering applications. MTT assay with osteoblasts, seeded over the chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite-modified decellularized scaffold, demonstrated significantly higher cell growth as compared to the decellularized scaffold without modification. SEM analysis of cell-seeded scaffold, after incubation for 7 days, represented a good cell adhesion, and the cells spread over the chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite-modified decellularized scaffold. Expression of bone-tissue-specific osteocalcin gene in the osteoblast cells grown over the chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite-modified decellularized scaffold clearly signifies that the cells maintained their osteoblastic phenotype with the chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite-modified decellularized scaffold. Therefore, it can be concluded that the decellularized goat-lung scaffold-modified with chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite composite, may provide enhanced osteogenic potential when used as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Corrugated round fibers to improve cell adhesion and proliferation in tissue engineering scaffolds

Optimal cell interaction with biomaterial scaffolds is one of the important requirements for the development of successful in vitro tissue-engineered tissues. Fast, efficient and spatially uniform cell adhesion can improve the clinical potential of engineered tissue. Three-dimensional (3-D) solid free form fabrication is one widely used scaffold fabrication technique today. By means of deposition of polymer fibers, scaffolds with various porosity, 3-D architecture and mechanical properties can be prepared. These scaffolds consist mostly of solid round fibers. In this study, it was hypothesized that a corrugated fiber morphology enhances cell adhesion and proliferation and therefore leads to the development of successful in vitro tissue-engineered constructs. Corrugated round fibers were prepared and characterized by extruding poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate)-co-poly(butylene terephthalate) (300PEOT55PBT45) block co-polymer through specially designed silicon wafer inserts. Corrugated round fibers with 6 and 10 grooves on the fiber surface were compared with solid round fibers of various diameters. The culture of mouse pre-myoblast (C2C12) cells on all fibers was studied under static and dynamic conditions by means of scanning electron microscopy, cell staining and DNA quantification. After 7days of culturing under static conditions, the DNA content on the corrugated round fibers was approximately twice as high as that on the solid round fibers. Moreover, under dynamic culture conditions, the cells on the corrugated round fibers seemed to experience lower mechanical forces and therefore adhered better than on the solid round fibers. The results of this study show that the surface architecture of fibers in a tissue engineering scaffold can be used as a tool to improve the performance of the scaffold in terms of cell adhesion and proliferation.

Fabrication and characterization of scaffold from cadaver goat-lung tissue for skin tissue engineering applications

The present study aims to fabricate scaffold from cadaver goat-lung tissue and evaluate it for skin tissue engineering applications. Decellularized goat-lung scaffold was fabricated by removing cells from cadaver goat-lung tissue enzymatically, to have cell-free 3D-architecture of natural extracellular matrix. DNA quantification assay and Hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed the absence of cellular material in the decellularized lung-tissue. SEM analysis of decellularized scaffold shows the intrinsic porous structure of lung tissue with well-preserved pore-to-pore interconnectivity. FTIR analysis confirmed non-denaturation and well maintainance of collagenous protein structure of decellularized scaffold. MTT assay, SEM analysis and H&E staining of human skin-derived Mesenchymal Stem cell, seeded over the decellularized scaffold, confirms stem cell attachment, viability, biocompatibility and proliferation over the decellularized scaffold. Expression of Keratin18 gene, along with CD105, CD73 and CD44, by human skin-derived Mesenchymal Stem cells over decellularized scaffold signifies that the cells are viable, proliferating and migrating, and have maintained their critical cellular functions in the presence of scaffold. Thus, overall study proves the applicability of the goat-lung tissue derived decellularized scaffold for skin tissue engineering applications.

Composite hydrogel scaffolds with controlled pore opening via biodegradable hydrogel porogen degradation

Poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) biodegradable hydrogel systems have garnered much attention in recent years due to their appealing properties for biomedical applications. These hydrogel systems exhibit properties similar to natural soft tissue, degrade in aqueous environments, and have easily tunable properties that have been well studied and understood. In most cases, tissue engineering scaffolds must possess a three-dimensional interconnected porous network for tissue ingrowth and construct vascularization. Here, PBAE properties were explored and systems were selected to serve as both the pore-forming agent and the outer matrix of a scaffold that exhibits controlled pore opening upon degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a biodegradable hydrogel porogen system entrapped in a degradable hydrogel outer matrix. Scaffolds were prepared, and the degradation, compressive moduli, and porosity were analyzed. An added advantage of a degradable porogen is the potential for controlled drug release, and a model protein was released from the porogen particles to demonstrate this application. Finally, pluripotent cells seeded onto predegraded scaffolds were viable during the first 24 h of exposure, and furthermore, cell tracking confirmed the presence of cells within the pores of the scaffold. Overall, these present studies demonstrate the possibility of using these biodegradable hydrogel porogen-matrix systems as tissue engineering scaffolding materials.

Plug and play: combining materials and technologies to improve bone regenerative strategies

Despite recent advances in the development of biomaterials intended to replace natural bone grafts for the regeneration of large, clinically relevant defects, most synthetic solutions that are currently applied in the clinic are still inferior to natural bone grafts with regard to regenerative potential and are limited to non-weight-bearing applications. From a materials science perspective, we always face the conundrum of the preservation of bioactivity of calcium phosphate ceramics in spite of better mechanical and handling properties and processability of polymers. Composites have long been investigated as a method to marry these critical properties for the successful regeneration of bone and, indeed, have shown a significant improvement when used in combination with cells or growth factors. However, when looking at this approach from a clinical and regulatory perspective, the use of cells or biologicals prolongs the path of new treatments from the bench to the bedside. Applying 'smart' synthetic materials alone poses the fascinating challenge of instructing tissue regeneration in situ, thereby tremendously facilitating clinical translation. In the journey to make this possible, and with the aim of adding up the advantages of different biomaterials, combinations of fabrication technologies arise as a new strategy for generating instructive three-dimensional (3D) constructs for bone regeneration. Here we provide a review of recent technologies and approaches to create such constructs and give our perspective on how combinations of technologies and materials can help in obtaining more functional bone regeneration.

Bioengineering of articular cartilage: past, present and future

The treatment of cartilage defects poses a clinical challenge owing to the lack of intrinsic regenerative capacity of cartilage. The use of tissue engineering techniques to bioengineer articular cartilage is promising and may hold the key to the successful regeneration of cartilage tissue. Natural and synthetic biomaterials have been used to recreate the microarchitecture of articular cartilage through multilayered biomimetic scaffolds. Acellular scaffolds preserve the microarchitecture of articular cartilage through a process of decellularization of biological tissue. Although promising, this technique often results in poor biomechanical strength of the graft. However, biomechanical strength could be improved if biomaterials could be incorporated back into the decellularized tissue to overcome this limitation.

Advanced biofabrication strategies for skin regeneration and repair

Skin is the largest organ of human body, acting as a barrier with protective, immunologic and sensorial functions. Its permanent exposure to the external environment can result in different kinds of damage with loss of variable volumes of extracellular matrix. For the treatment of skin lesions, several strategies are currently available, such as the application of autografts, allografts, wound dressings and tissue-engineered substitutes. Although proven clinically effective, these strategies are still characterized by key limitations such as patient morbidity, inadequate vascularization, low adherence to the wound bed, the inability to reproduce skin appendages and high manufacturing costs. Advanced strategies based on both bottom-up and top-down approaches offer an effective, permanent and viable alternative to solve the abovementioned drawbacks by combining biomaterials, cells, growth factors and advanced biomanufacturing techniques. This review details recent advances in skin regeneration and repair strategies, and describes their major advantages and limitations. Future prospects for skin regeneration are also outlined.