Effect of copper nanoparticles on physico-chemical properties of chitosan and gelatin-based scaffold developed for skin tissue engineering application

Comparison of the differentiation of ovine fetal bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells towards osteocytes on chitosan/alginate/CuO-NPs and chitosan/alginate/FeO-NPs scaffolds

In the current study, the creation of a chitosan/alginate scaffold hydrogel with and without FeO-NPs or CuO-NPs was studied. From fetal ovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were isolated and cultivated. Their differentiation into osteocyte and adipose cells was investigated. Also, on the scaffolds, cytotoxicity and apoptosis were studied. To investigate the differentiation, treatment groups include: (1) BM-MSCs were plated in DMEM culture medium with high glucose containing 10% FBS and antibiotics (negative control); (2) BM-MSCs were plated in osteogenic differentiation medium (positive control); (3) positive control group + FeO-NPs, (4) positive control group + CuO-NPs; (5) BM-MSCs were plated in osteogenic differentiation medium on chitosan/alginate scaffold; (6) BM-MSCs were plated in osteogenic differentiation medium on chitosan/alginate/FeO-NPs scaffold; and (7) BM-MSCs were plated in osteogenic differentiation medium on chitosan/alginate/CuO-NPs scaffold. Alkaline phosphatase enzyme concentrations, mineralization rate using a calcium kit, and mineralization measurement by alizarin staining quantification were evaluated after 21 days of culture. In addition, qRT-PCR was used to assess the expression of the ALP, ColA, and Runx2 genes. When compared to other treatment groups, the addition of CuO-NPs in the chitosan/alginate hydrogel significantly increased the expression of the ColA and Runx2 genes (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the chitosan/alginate hydrogel groups containing FeO-NPs and CuO-NPs in the expression of the ALP gene. It appears that the addition of nanoparticles, in particular CuO-NPs, has made the chitosan/alginate scaffold more effective in supporting osteocyte differentiation.

A comprehensive review on nanocomposite biomaterials based on gelatin for bone tissue engineering

The creation of a suitable scaffold is a crucial step in the process of bone tissue engineering (BTE). The scaffold, acting as an artificial extracellular matrix, plays a significant role in determining the fate of cells by affecting their proliferation and differentiation in BTE. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the fabrication approach and materials used for scaffold preparation. Natural polypeptides such as gelatin and collagen have been widely used for this purpose. The unique properties of nanoparticles, which vary depending on their size, charge, and physicochemical properties, have demonstrated potential in solving various challenges encountered in BTE. Therefore, nanocomposite biomaterials consisting of polymers and nanoparticles have been extensively used for BTE. Gelatin has also been utilized in combination with other nanomaterials to apply for this purpose. Composites of gelatin with various types of nanoparticles are particularly promising for creating scaffolds with superior biological and physicochemical properties. This review explores the use of nanocomposite biomaterials based on gelatin and various types of nanoparticles together for applications in bone tissue engineering.

Hybrid materials based on chitosan functionalized with green synthesized copper nanoparticles: Physico-chemical and antimicrobial analysis

Recently, the development of materials with antimicrobial properties has become a challenge under scrutiny. The incorporation of copper nanoparticles (NpCu) into a chitosan matrix appears to represent a viable strategy to contain the particles and prevent their oxidation. Regarding the physical properties, the nanocomposite films (CHCu) showed a decrease in the elongation at break (5 %) and an increase in the tensile strength of 10 % concerning chitosan films (control). They also showed solubility values lower than 5 % while the swelling diminished by 50 %, on average. The dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) of nanocomposites revealed two thermal events located at 113° and 178 °C, which matched the glass transitions of the CH-enriched phase and nanoparticles-enriched phase, respectively. In addition, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) detected a greater stability of the nanocomposites. Chitosan films and the NpCu-loaded nanocomposites demonstrated excellent antibacterial capacity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, proved through diffusion disc, zeta potential, and ATR-FTIR techniques. Additionally, the penetration of individual NpCu particles into bacterial cells and the leakage of cell content were verified by TEM. The mechanism of the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites involved the interaction of chitosan with the bacterial outer membrane or cell wall and the diffusion of the NpCu through the cells. These materials could be applied in diverse fields of biology, medicine, or food packaging.

Fabrication and characterization of apigenin-loaded chitosan/gelatin membranes for bone tissue engineering applications

Fabricating degradable polymer-based membranes has attracted much attention for guided bone regeneration. Chitosan/gelatin (Cs/Gel) composites are among the most known scaffolds with structural similarity to bone matrix and a high potential to support cell attachment and proliferation. Recently, plant-derived phenolic compound apigenin has been identified to direct the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and retain osteoblast metabolic functions. We incorporated apigenin into Cs/Gel membranes to improve apigenin bioavailability and get proper concentrations for efficient biological activities. Apigenin-loaded Cs/Gel membranes were prepared using a solution casting method with various apigenin contents (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM). Chemical composition, morphological characteristics, swelling behavior, degradation rate, and apigenin release from membranes were evaluated. Saos-2 osteoblasts were cultured on membranes to investigate cell-membrane interaction, proliferation, viability, and mineralization under the osteogenic culture condition. The results showed that membranes had homogeneous and moderate rough surfaces, facilitating osteoblast attachment and expansion. Swelling ratios exceeded 200%, reaching a stable rate in 24 h. Apigenin-loaded membranes degraded slower in vitro. Membranes containing lower apigenin concentrations exhibited a higher cargo release profile over 21 days. Apigenin improved osteoblast proliferation and viability, but the mineralization depended on apigenin dose, with optimized values at low concentrations. These data suggested that Cs/Gel membranes loaded with low apigenin contents improved osteoblast survival, proliferation, and mineralization.

Gelatin-Based Film Integrated with Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles for Active Packaging Applications

Gelatin-based multifunctional composite films were prepared by reinforcing various amounts of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNP, 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt %), and the effect of CuSNP on the film was evaluated by analyzing its physical and antibacterial properties. CuSNP makes a compatible film with gelatin. The inclusion of CuSNP significantly enhanced the UV blocking, mechanical strength, and water vapor barrier properties of the gelatin film. The inclusion of CuSNP of 1.0 wt % or less did not affect the transparency of the gelatin film. When 2.0 wt % of CuSNP was mixed, the hydrophilicity of the gelatin film did not change noticeably, but its thermal properties slightly increased. Moreover, the gelatin/CuSNP composite film presented effective antibacterial activity against E. coli and some activity against L. monocytogenes. Gelatin/CuSNP composite films with better functional and physical properties can be used for food packaging or biomedical applications.

Copper-based biomaterials for bone and cartilage tissue engineering

Backgroud

Tissue engineering using cells, scaffolds, and bioactive molecules can promote the repair and regeneration of injured tissues. Copper is an essential element for the human body that is involved in many physiological activities and in recent years, copper has been used increasingly in tissue engineering.

Methods

The current advances of copper-based biomaterial for bone and cartilage tissue engineering were searched on PubMed and Web of Science.

Results

Various forms of copper-based biomaterials, including pure copper, copper ions, copper nanoparticles, copper oxides, and copper alloy are introduced. The incorporation of copper into base materials provides unique properties, resulting in tuneable porosity, mechanical strength, degradation, and crosslinking of scaffolds. Copper also shows promising biological performance in cell migration, cell adhesion, osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, angiogenesis, and antibacterial activities. In vivo applications of copper for bone and cartilage tissue engineering are discussed.

Conclusion

This review focuses on copper’s physiochemical and biological effects, and its applications in bone and cartilage tissue engineering. The potential limitations and future perspectives are also discussed.

Translational potential of this article

This review introduces the recent advances in copper-based biomaterial for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. This revie could guide researchers to apply copper in biomaterials, improving the generation of bone and cartilages, decrease the possibility of infection and shorten the recovery time so as to decrease medical costs.

Design, evaluation, and optimization of 3D printed truss scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

One of tissue engineering's main goals is to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with interconnected pores to reconstruct and regenerate damaged or deformed tissues and organs. In this regard, 3D printing is a promising technique for the fabrication of tissue scaffolds, which can precisely make predetermined and complicated architectures. This study aims to investigate and optimize the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of 3D truss architecture tissue scaffolds with different pore geometries. The mechanical properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) scaffolds are analysed experimentally and numerically. Furthermore, the mechanical and physical properties of scaffolds are optimized with response surface methodology (RSM), and cell adhesion of the 3D truss scaffold studies. Results demonstrate that mechanical properties of the simple and gradient scaffolds have different mechanical behaviors that are strongly correlated with pore size and their architectures, rather than merely the values of the porosity. It is also observed that the RSM technique can enable designers to enhance mechanical and physical properties of scaffolds at low cost. Moreover, the results of biological behaviour can endorse the reliability of 3D truss architecture in bone tissue engineering.

Chitosan-based blends for biomedical applications

Polysaccharides are the most abundant naturally available carbohydrate polymers; composed of monosaccharide units covalently connected together. Chitosan is the most widely used polysaccharides because of its exceptional biocompatibility, mucoadhesion, and chemical versatility. However, it suffers from a few drawbacks, e.g. poor mechanical properties and antibacterial activity for biomedical applications. Blending chitosan with natural or synthetic polymers may not merely improve its physicochemical and mechanical properties, but may also improve its bioactivity-induced properties. This review paper summarizes progress in chitosan blends with biodegradable polymers and polysaccharides and their biomedical applications. Blends of chitosan with alginate, starch, cellulose, pectin and dextran and their applications were particularly addressed. The critical and challenging aspects as well as the future ahead of the use of chitosan-based blends were eventually enlightened.

Optimization and evaluation of ciprofloxacin-loaded collagen/chitosan scaffolds for skin tissue engineering

A novel ciprofloxacin-loaded collagen-chitosan scaffold was developed for the treatment of wound using freeze drying method. The average pore size and porosity of developed scaffold was found to be around 125 µm and 91 ± 0.56%. Moreover, swelling, degradation and mechanical tests profile supported the suitability of scaffold for wound healing process. The scaffold has high degree of hemocompatibility towards the blood and promotes the growth, migration and proliferation of fibroblast. The developed scaffold exhibits antibacterial properties and was found to be efficient against the Gram-negative (E.coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria hence can be used for wound healing applications. In vivo study demonstrated that the scaffold not only escalated the tissue regeneration time but also accelerated the wound healing process compared to control. The histological studies revealed better granulation, vascularization, and remodeling of extracellular matrix along with regeneration of epidermal and dermal layer of skin. Overall, the obtained results suggested that the developed skin tissue constructs possess the enormous potential for tissue regeneration and might be a suitable biomaterial for skin tissue engineering applications.