Advanced Polymeric Membranes as Biomaterials Based on Marine Sources Envisaging the Regeneration of Human Tissues

The self-repair capacity of human tissue is limited, motivating the arising of tissue engineering (TE) in building temporary scaffolds that envisage the regeneration of human tissues, including articular cartilage. However, despite the large number of preclinical data available, current therapies are not yet capable of fully restoring the entire healthy structure and function on this tissue when significantly damaged. For this reason, new biomaterial approaches are needed, and the present work proposes the development and characterization of innovative polymeric membranes formed by blending marine origin polymers, in a chemical free cross-linking approach, as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. The results confirmed the production of polyelectrolyte complexes molded as membranes, with structural stability resulting from natural intermolecular interactions between the marine biopolymers collagen, chitosan and fucoidan. Furthermore, the polymeric membranes presented adequate swelling ability without compromising cohesiveness (between 300 and 600%), appropriate surface properties, revealing mechanical properties similar to native articular cartilage. From the different formulations studied, the ones performing better were the ones produced with 3 % shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan, as well as with 5% jellyfish collagen, 3% shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan. Overall, the novel marine polymeric membranes demonstrated to have promising chemical, and physical properties for tissue engineering approaches, namely as thin biomaterial that can be applied over the damaged articular cartilage aiming its regeneration.

Marine origin materials on biomaterials and advanced therapies to cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

The body's self-repair capacity is limited, including injuries on articular cartilage zones. Over the past few decades, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) has focused its studies on the development of natural biomaterials for clinical applications aiming to overcome this self-therapeutic bottleneck. This review focuses on the development of these biomaterials using compounds and materials from marine sources that are able to be produced in a sustainable way, as an alternative to mammal sources (e.g., collagens) and benefiting from their biological properties, such as biocompatibility, low antigenicity, biodegradability, among others. The structure and composition of the new biomaterials require mimicking the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage tissue. To design an ideal temporary tissue-scaffold, it needs to provide a suitable environment for cell growth (cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation), towards the regeneration of the damaged tissues. Overall, the purpose of this review is to summarize various marine sources to be used in the development of different tissue-scaffolds with the capability to sustain cells envisaging cartilage tissue engineering, analysing the systems displaying more promising performance, while pointing out current limitations and steps to be given in the near future.

Encapsulation of Berberis vulgaris Anthocyanins into Nanoliposome Composed of Rapeseed Lecithin: A Comprehensive Study on Physicochemical Characteristics and Biocompatibility

In the present study, nanoliposomes composed of rapeseed lecithin were used for the encapsulation of anthocyanin compounds (AC). The nanoliposomes were prepared using hydration and ultrasound combined method, and the effect of AC concentration (4.5, 6.75, 9% w/w) on the characteristics of nanoliposomes including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of nanoliposomes with and without AC were studied. The results suggested the fabricated nanoliposomes had a size range of 141-196 nm, negative zeta potential and narrow particle size distribution. Further, the samples containing 9% extract had the maximum EE (43%). The results showed elevation of AC concentration resulted in increased particle size, PDI, EE, and surface charge of nanoparticles. The presence of AC extract led to diminished membrane fluidity through the hydrophobic interactions with the hydrocarbon chain of fatty acids. TEM images suggested that the nanoliposomes were nearly spherical and the AC caused their improved sphericity. Further, in vitro biocompatibility tests for human mesenchymal (MSC) and fibroblast (FBL) cells indicated nanoparticles were not toxic. Specifically, the best formulations with the maximum compatibility and bioavailability for MSC and FBL cells were AC-loaded nanoliposomes with concentrations of 0.5 mL/mg and 10.3 mL/µg and, respectively.

Soft-Nanoparticle Functionalization of Natural Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications

Tissue engineering has emerged as an important research area that provides numerous research tools for the fabrication of biologically functional constructs that can be used in drug discovery, disease modeling, and the treatment of diseased or injured organs. From a materials point of view, scaffolds have become an important part of tissue engineering activities and are usually used to form an environment supporting cellular growth, differentiation, and maturation. Among various materials used as scaffolds, hydrogels based on natural polymers are considered one of the most suitable groups of materials for creating tissue engineering scaffolds. Natural hydrogels, however, do not always provide the physicochemical and biological characteristics and properties required for optimal cell growth. This review discusses the properties and tissue engineering applications of widely used natural hydrogels. In addition, methods of modulation of their physicochemical and biological properties using soft nanoparticles as fillers or reinforcing agents are presented.