Development of a novel automatable fabrication method based on electrospinning co electrospraying for rotator cuff augmentation patches

Functional biomaterials for tendon/ligament repair and regeneration

With an increase in life expectancy and the popularity of high-intensity exercise, the frequency of tendon and ligament injuries has also increased. Owing to the specificity of its tissue, the rapid restoration of injured tendons and ligaments is challenging for treatment. This review summarizes the latest progress in cells, biomaterials, active molecules and construction technology in treating tendon/ligament injuries. The characteristics of supports made of different materials and the development and application of different manufacturing methods are discussed. The development of natural polymers, synthetic polymers and composite materials has boosted the use of scaffolds. In addition, the development of electrospinning and hydrogel technology has diversified the production and treatment of materials. First, this article briefly introduces the structure, function and biological characteristics of tendons/ligaments. Then, it summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of different materials, such as natural polymer scaffolds, synthetic polymer scaffolds, composite scaffolds and extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived biological scaffolds, in the application of tendon/ligament regeneration. We then discuss the latest applications of electrospun fiber scaffolds and hydrogels in regeneration engineering. Finally, we discuss the current problems and future directions in the development of biomaterials for restoring damaged tendons and ligaments.

Tendon tissue engineering: Cells, growth factors, scaffolds and production techniques

Tendon injuries are a global health problem that affects millions of people annually. The properties of tendons make their natural rehabilitation a very complex and long-lasting process. Thanks to the development of the fields of biomaterials, bioengineering and cell biology, a new discipline has emerged, tissue engineering. Within this discipline, diverse approaches have been proposed. The obtained results turn out to be promising, as increasingly more complex and natural tendon-like structures are obtained. In this review, the nature of the tendon and the conventional treatments that have been applied so far are underlined. Then, a comparison between the different tendon tissue engineering approaches that have been proposed to date is made, focusing on each of the elements necessary to obtain the structures that allow adequate regeneration of the tendon: growth factors, cells, scaffolds and techniques for scaffold development. The analysis of all these aspects allows understanding, in a global way, the effect that each element used in the regeneration of the tendon has and, thus, clarify the possible future approaches by making new combinations of materials, designs, cells and bioactive molecules to achieve a personalized regeneration of a functional tendon.