Cell electrospinning highly concentrated cellular suspensions containing primary living organisms into cell-bearing threads and scaffolds

Cell Electrospinning: a Review of Materials and Methodologies for Biofabrication

The process of electrohydrodynamic living cell microencapsulation inside a scaffold during the electrospinning (ES) process is called cell electrospinning (CE). Several studies demonstrate the feasibility of using cell electrospinning for biomedical applications, allowing for the direct biofabrication of living cells to be encapsulated in fibers for the formation of active biological scaffolds. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the materials and methodologies used in cell electrospinning, as well as their biomedical application in tissue engineering, is provided. Cell ES represents an innovative technique for automated application in regenerative medicine.

Advancements and Future Perspectives in Cell Electrospinning and Bio-Electrospraying

In recent years, researchers have tried to include living cells into electrospun nanofibers or droplets, leading to the field of live cell electrospinning and bio-electrospraying . In live cell electrospinning and bio-electrospraying, cells are embedded in a polymer and subject to the process of mechanical and electrical stimulation of the process. The resulting nanofiber mats or droplets with embedded cells have several potential applications in tissue engineering. The nanofiber structure provides a supportive and porous environment for cells to grow and interact with their surroundings. This can be favorable for tissue regeneration, where the goal is to create functional tissues that closely mimic the extracellular matrix. However, there are also challenges associated with live cell electrospinning and electrospraying, including maintaining cell viability and uniform cell distribution within the nanofiber mat. Additionally, the electrospinning/electrospraying process can have an impact on cell behavior, phenotype, and genotype, which must be cautiously monitored and studied. Overall, the goal of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the existing literature on cell electrospinning and bio-electrospraying.

Cell Electrospinning: A Mini-Review of the Critical Processing Parameters and Its Use in Biomedical Applications

Functional tissue engineering is a widely studied area of research with increasing importance in regenerative medicine, as well as in the development of in vitro models used for drug discovery and mimicking diseased tissues, among other applications. Electrospinning (ES) is one of the most widely used methods in these fields. It has attracted considerable interest because it can produce materials resembling the extracellular matrix of native tissues. The micro/nanofibers produced by this method provide a cell-friendly environment that promotes cellular activities. Cell electrospinning (C-ES) is based on the fundamental ES process and enables the encapsulation of viable cells in a micro/nanofibrous mesh. In this review, the process of C-ES and the materials used in this process are discussed. This work also discusses the applications of C-ES in tissue engineering, focusing on recent advances in this field.

Cell electrospinning and its application in wound healing: principles, techniques and prospects

Currently, clinical strategies for the treatment of wounds are limited, especially in terms of achieving rapid wound healing. In recent years, based on the technique of electrospinning (ES), cell electrospinning (C-ES) has been developed to better repair related tissues or organs (such as skin, fat and muscle) by encapsulating living cells in a microfiber or nanofiber environment and constructing 3D living fiber scaffolds. Therefore, C-ES has promising prospects for promoting wound healing. In this article, C-ES technology and its advantages, the differences between C-ES and traditional ES, the parameters suitable for maintaining cytoactivity, and material selection and design issues are summarized. In addition, we review the application of C-ES in the fields of biomaterials and cells. Finally, the limitations and improved methods of C-ES are discussed. In conclusion, the potential advantages, limitations and prospects of C-ES application in wound healing are presented.

Electrohydrodynamic 3D Printing of Aqueous Solutions

Among the various electrohydrodynamic (EHD) processing techniques, electrowriting (EW) produces the most complex 3D structures. Aqueous solution EW similarly retains the potential for additive manufacturing well-resolved 3D structures, while providing new opportunities for processing biologically derived polymers and eschewing organic solvents. However, research on aqueous-based EHD processing is still limited. To summarize the field and advocate for increased use of aqueous bio-based materials, this review summarizes the most significant contributions of aqueous solution processing. Special emphasis has been placed on understanding the effects of different printing parameters, the prospects for 3D processing new materials, and future challenges.

Iron-Based Magnetic Nanosystems for Diagnostic Imaging and Drug Delivery: Towards Transformative Biomedical Applications

The advancement of biomedicine in a socioeconomically sustainable manner while achieving efficient patient-care is imperative to the health and well-being of society. Magnetic systems consisting of iron based nanosized components have gained prominence among researchers in a multitude of biomedical applications. This review focuses on recent trends in the areas of diagnostic imaging and drug delivery that have benefited from iron-incorporated nanosystems, especially in cancer treatment, diagnosis and wound care applications. Discussion on imaging will emphasise on developments in MRI technology and hyperthermia based diagnosis, while advanced material synthesis and targeted, triggered transport will be the focus for drug delivery. Insights onto the challenges in transforming these technologies into day-to-day applications will also be explored with perceptions onto potential for patient-centred healthcare.

Bio-electrospraying assessment toward in situ chondrocyte-laden electrospun scaffold fabrication

Electrospinning has been widely used to fabricate fibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering, but their small pores severely restrict cell infiltration, resulting in an uneven distribution of cells across the scaffold, particularly in three-dimensional designs. If bio-electrospraying is applied, direct chondrocyte incorporation into the fibers during electrospinning may be a solution. However, before this approach can be effectively employed, it is critical to identify whether chondrocytes are adversely affected. Several electrospraying operating settings were tested to determine their effect on the survival and function of an immortalized human chondrocyte cell line. These chondrocytes survived through an electric field formed by low needle-to-collector distances and low voltage. No differences in chondrocyte viability, morphology, gene expression, or proliferation were found. Preliminary data of the combination of electrospraying and polymer electrospinning disclosed that chondrocyte integration was feasible using an alternated approach. The overall increase in chondrocyte viability over time indicated that the embedded cells retained their proliferative capacity. Besides the cell line, primary chondrocytes were also electrosprayed under the previously optimized operational conditions, revealing the higher sensitivity degree of these cells. Still, their post-electrosprayed viability remained considerably high. The data reported here further suggest that bio-electrospraying under the optimal operational conditions might be a promising alternative to the existent cell seeding techniques, promoting not only cells safe delivery to the scaffold, but also the development of cellularized cartilage tissue constructs.

Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells to chondrocytes using electrospraying

An important challenge in the fabrication of tissue engineered constructs for regenerative medical applications is the development of processes capable of delivering cells and biomaterials to specific locations in a consistent manner. Electrospraying live cells has been introduced in recent years as a cell seeding method, but its effect on phenotype nor genotype has not been explored. A promising candidate for the cellular component of these constructs are human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), which are multipotent stem cells that can be differentiated into fat, bone, and cartilage cells. They can be easily and safely obtained from adipose tissue, regardless of the age and sex of the donor. Moreover, these cells can be maintained and expanded in culture for long periods of time without losing their differentiation capacity. In this study, hASCs directly incorporated into a polymer solution were electrosprayed, inducing differentiation into chondrocytes, without the addition of any exogenous factors. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of exposing hASCs to biomolecules—such as soluble growth factors, chemokines, and morphogens—to induce chondrogenesis. Transforming growth factors (e.g., TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic proteins are particularly known to play essential roles in the induction of chondrogenesis. Although growth factors have great therapeutic potential for cell-based cartilage regeneration, these growth factor-based therapies have presented several clinical complications, including high dose requirements, low half-life, protein instability, higher costs, and adverse effects in vivo. The present data suggests that electrospraying has great potential as hASCs-based therapy for cartilage regeneration.

An in vitro model using spheroids-laden nanofibrous structures for attaining high degree of myoblast alignment and differentiation

A spheroid is an aggregation of single cells with structural and functional characteristics similar to those of 3D native tissues, and it has been utilized as one of the typical in vitro three-dimensional (3D) cell models. Scaffold-free spheroids provide outstanding reflection of tissue complexity in a 3D in vivo-like environment, but they can neither fabricate realistic macroscale 3D complex structures without avoiding necrosis nor receive direct external stimuli (i.e., stimuli from mechanical or topographical cues). Here, we propose a spheroid-laden electrospinning process to obtain in vitro model achieved using the synergistic effect of the unique bioactive components provided by the spheroids and stimulating effects provided by the aligned nanofibers.

Methods: To show the functional activity of the spheroid-laden structures, we used myoblast-spheroids to obtain skeletal muscle, comprising highly aligned myotubes, utilizing an uniaxially arranged topographical cue. The spheroid-electrospinning was used to align spheroids directly by embedding them in aligned alginate nanofibers, which were controlled with various materials and processing parameters.

Results: The spheroids laden in the alginate nanofibers showed high cell viability (>90%) and was compared with that of a cell-laden alginate nanofiber that was electrospun with single cells. Consequently, the spheroids laden in the aligned nanofibers showed a significantly higher degree of myotube formation and maturation.

Conclusion: Results suggested that the in vitro model using electrospun spheroids could potentially be employed to understand myogenic responses for various in vitro drug tests.

Beyond the Single-Nozzle: Coaxial Electrospinning Enables Innovative Nanofiber Chemistries, Geometries, and Applications

With an ever increasing scientific, technological, and industrial interest in high surface area, porous nanofiber mats, electrospinning has emerged as a popular method to produce fibrous assemblies for use across biomedical, energy, and environmental applications. However, not all precursor solutions nor complex geometries can be easily fabricated using the traditional single-nozzle apparatus. Therefore, coaxial electrospinning, a modified version of electrospinning that features a concentrically aligned dual nozzle, has been developed. This review will first describe the mechanism of electrospinning two precursor solutions simultaneously and the operational parameters that need to be optimized to fabricate continuous fibers. Modifications that can be made to the coaxial electrospinning process, which enable the fabrication of uniform fibers with improved properties, as well as the fabrication of fibers that are hollow, functionalized, and from "nonspinnable precursors" will be discussed as a means of promoting the advantages of using a coaxial setup. Examples of how coaxially electrospun nanofibers are employed in diverse applications will be provided throughout this review. We conclude with a timely discussion about the current limitations and challenges of coaxial electrospinning.

Hydrogel-Based Bioinks for Cell Electrowriting of Well-Organized Living Structures with Micrometer-Scale Resolution

Bioprinting has become an important tool for fabricating regenerative implants and in vitro cell culture platforms. However, until today, extrusion-based bioprinting processes are limited to resolutions of hundreds of micrometers, which hamper the reproduction of intrinsic functions and morphologies of living tissues. This study describes novel hydrogel-based bioinks for cell electrowriting (CEW) of well-organized cell-laden fiber structures with diameters ranging from 5 to 40 μm. Two novel photoresponsive hydrogel bioinks, that is, based on gelatin and silk fibroin, which display distinctly different gelation chemistries, are introduced. The rapid photomediated cross-linking mechanisms, electrical conductivity, and viscosity of these two engineered bioinks allow the fabrication of 3D ordered fiber constructs with small pores (down to 100 μm) with different geometries (e.g., squares, hexagons, and curved patterns) of relevant thicknesses (up to 200 μm). Importantly, the biocompatibility of the gelatin- and silk fibroin-based bioinks enables the fabrication of cell-laden constructs, while maintaining high cell viability post printing. Taken together, CEW and the two hydrogel bioinks open up fascinating opportunities to manufacture microstructured constructs for applications in regenerative medicine and in vitro models that can better resemble cellular microenvironments.

Application of atomic force microscope in diagnosis of single cancer cells

Changes in mechanical properties of cells are closely related to a variety of diseases. As an advanced technology on the micro/nano scale, atomic force microscopy is the most suitable tool for information acquisition of living cells in human body fluids. AFMs are able to measure and characterize the mechanical properties of cells which can be used as effective markers to distinguish between different cell types and cells in different states (benign or cancerous). Therefore, they can be employed to obtain additional information to that obtained via the traditional biochemistry methods for better identifying and diagnosing cancer cells for humans, proposing better treatment methods and prognosis, and unravelling the pathogenesis of the disease. In this report, we review the use of AFMs in cancerous tissues, organs, and cancer cells cultured in vitro to obtain cellular mechanical properties, demonstrate and summarize the results of AFMs in cancer biology, and look forward to possible future applications and the direction of development.

Electrospinning Live Cells Using Gelatin and Pullulan

Electrospinning is a scaffold production method that utilizes electric force to draw a polymer solution into nanometer-sized fibers. By optimizing the polymer and electrospinning parameters, a scaffold is created with the desired thickness, alignment, and pore size. Traditionally, cells and biological constitutes are implanted into the matrix of the three-dimensional scaffold following electrospinning. Our design simultaneously introduces cells into the scaffold during the electrospinning process at 8 kV. In this study, we achieved 90% viability of adipose tissue-derived stem cells through electrospinning.

In vitro cell culture in hollow microfibers with porous structures

Hollow and porous cell-encapsulated microfibers have been fabricated via simultaneously electrospinning two different biomaterial-based polymer solutions using a coaxial spinneret.

Cell-Electrospinning and Its Application for Tissue Engineering

Electrospinning has gained great interest in the field of regenerative medicine, due to its fabrication of a native extracellular matrix-mimicking environment. The micro/nanofibers generated through this process provide cell-friendly surroundings which promote cellular activities. Despite these benefits of electrospinning, a process was introduced to overcome the limitations of electrospinning. Cell-electrospinning is based on the basic process of electrospinning for producing viable cells encapsulated in the micro/nanofibers. In this review, the process of cell-electrospinning and the materials used in this process will be discussed. This review will also discuss the applications of cell-electrospun structures in tissue engineering. Finally, the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives will be discussed.

Novel electrospun fibers with incorporated commensal bacteria for potential preventive treatment of the diabetic foot

AIM

A novel electrospun biocompatible nanofibrous material loaded with commensal bacteria for potential preventive treatment of the diabetic foot was developed.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Two biocompatible polymers (carboxymethylcellulose and polyethylene oxide) were combined with a bacterium isolate from the skin located between the toes of a healthy adult (identified using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry-based method as a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis). Higher bacteria loads in the material were assured through their encapsulation in polyethylenimine. The nanofibrous material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, zeta-potential measurements and through evaluation of cell growth and viability.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

nanometer formation was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, while the zeta-potential measurements revealed successful bacteria encapsulation. Viable and sufficiently growing cells were confirmed prior and after their incorporation.

CONCLUSION

The prepared materials were proven suitable to deliver viable commensal bacteria in a comparable share to the Staphylococcaceae in the foot microbiome making this approach promising for preventive diabetic foot treatment.

Polymer-Magnetic Composite Fibers for Remote-Controlled Drug Release

An efficient method is reported, for the fabrication of composite microfibers that can be magnetically actuated and are biocompatible, targeting controlled drug release. Aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol, incorporated with citric acid-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), are subject to infusion gyration to generate 100-300 nm diameter composite fibers, with controllable MNP loading. The fibers are stable in polar solvents, such as ethanol, and do not show any leaching of MNPs for over 4 weeks. Using acetaminophen as an example, we demonstrate that this material is effective in immobilization and triggered release of drugs, which is achieved by a moving external magnetic field. The remote actuation ability, coupled with biocompatibility and lightweight property, renders enormous potential for these fibers to be used as a smart drug release agent.

Microscale Electro-Hydrodynamic Cell Printing with High Viability

Cell printing has gained extensive attentions for the controlled fabrication of living cellular constructs in vitro. Various cell printing techniques are now being explored and developed for improved cell viability and printing resolution. Here an electro-hydrodynamic cell printing strategy is developed with microscale resolution (<100 µm) and high cellular viability (>95%). Unlike the existing electro-hydrodynamic cell jetting or printing explorations, insulating substrate is used to replace conventional semiconductive substrate as the collecting surface which significantly reduces the electrical current in the electro-hydrodynamic printing process from milliamperes (>0.5 mA) to microamperes (<10 µA). Additionally, the nozzle-to-collector distance is fixed as small as 100 µm for better control over filament deposition. These features ensure high cellular viability and normal postproliferative capability of the electro-hydrodynamically printed cells. The smallest width of the electro-hydrodynamically printed hydrogel filament is 82.4 ± 14.3 µm by optimizing process parameters. Multiple hydrogels or multilayer cell-laden constructs can be flexibly printed under cell-friendly conditions. The printed cells in multilayer hydrogels kept alive and gradually spread during 7-days culture in vitro. This exploration offers a novel and promising cell printing strategy which might benefit future biomedical innovations such as microscale tissue engineering, organ-on-a-chip systems, and nanomedicine.

* Engineering Membranes for Bone Regeneration

This review is focused on the use of membranes for the specific application of bone regeneration. The first section focuses on the relevance of membranes in this context and what are the specifications that they should possess to improve the regeneration of bone. Afterward, several techniques to engineer bone membranes by using "bulk"-like methods are discussed, where different parameters to induce bone formation are disclosed in a way to have desirable structural and functional properties. Subsequently, the production of nanostructured membranes using a bottom-up approach is discussed by highlighting the main advances in the field of bone regeneration. Primordial importance is given to the promotion of osteoconductive and osteoinductive capability during the membrane design. Whenever possible, the films prepared using different techniques are compared in terms of handability, bone guiding ability, osteoinductivity, adequate mechanical properties, or biodegradability. A last chapter contemplates membranes only composed by cells, disclosing their potential to regenerate bone.

Easy Manipulation of Architectures in Protein-based Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications

Hydrogels are recognized as promising materials for cell culture applications due to their ability to provide highly hydrated cell environments. The field of 3D templates is rising due to the potential resemblance of those materials to the natural extracellular matrix. Protein-based hydrogels are particularly promising because they can easily be functionalized and can achieve defined structures with adjustable physicochemical properties. However, the production of macroporous 3D templates for cell culture applications using natural materials is often limited by their weaker mechanical properties compared to those of synthetic materials. Here, different methods were evaluated to produce macroporous bovine serum albumin (BSA)-based hydrogel systems, with adjustable pore sizes in the range of 10 to 70 µm in radius. Furthermore, a method to generate channels in this protein-based material that are several hundred microns long was established. The different methods to produce pores, as well as the influence of pore size on material properties such as swelling ratio, pH, temperature stability, and enzymatic degradation behavior, were analyzed. Pore sizes were investigated in the native, swollen state of the hydrogels using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The feasibility for cell culture applications was evaluated using a cell-adhesive RGD peptide modification of the protein system and two model cell lines: human breast cancer cells (A549) and adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (MCF7).

A Very Stable High Throughput Taylor Cone-jet in Electrohydrodynamics

A stable capillary liquid jet formed by an electric field is an important physical phenomenon for formation of controllable small droplets, power generation and chemical reactions, printing and patterning, and chemical-biological investigations. In electrohydrodynamics, the well-known Taylor cone-jet has a stability margin within a certain range of the liquid flow rate (Q) and the applied voltage (V). Here, we introduce a simple mechanism to greatly extend the Taylor cone-jet stability margin and produce a very high throughput. For an ethanol cone-jet emitting from a simple nozzle, the stability margin is obtained within 1 kV for low flow rates, decaying with flow rate up to 2 ml/h. By installing a hemispherical cap above the nozzle, we demonstrate that the stability margin could increase to 5 kV for low flow rates, decaying to zero for a maximum flow rate of 65 ml/h. The governing borders of stability margins are discussed and obtained for three other liquids: methanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol. For a gravity-directed nozzle, the produced cone-jet is more stable against perturbations and the axis of the spray remains in the same direction through the whole stability margin, unlike the cone-jet of conventional simple nozzles.

Micro/nanoscale electrohydrodynamic printing: from 2D to 3D

Electrohydrodynamic printing (EHDP), based on the electrohydrodynamically induced flow of materials, enables the production of micro/nanoscale fibers or droplets and has recently attracted extensive interest to fabricate user-specific patterns in a controlled and high-efficiency manner. However, most of the existing EHDP techniques can only print two-dimensional (2D) micropatterns which cannot meet the increasing demands for the direct fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microdevices. The integration of EHDP techniques with the layer-by-layer stacking principle of additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising solution to this limitation. Here we present a state-of-the-art review on the translation of 2D EHDP technique into a viable micro/nanoscale 3D printing strategy. The working principle, essential components as well as critical process parameters for EHDP are discussed. We highlight recent explorations on both solution-based and melt-based 3D EHDP techniques in cone-jet and microdripping modes for the fabrication of multimaterial structures, microelectronics and biological constructs. Finally, we discuss the major challenges as well as possible solutions with regard to translating the 3D EHDP process into a real micro/nanoscale additive manufacturing strategy for the freeform fabrication of 3D structures.

Platform Technologies for Directly Reconstructing 3D Living Biomaterials

Bio-electrospraying and cell electrospinning is explored for reconstructing living biomaterials for regenerative biology and medicine. The investigations carried out in this study demonstrate these approaches as platform biotechnologies for tissue reconstruction for repair, replacement, and rejuvenation of damaged and/or ageing tissues and/or organs.

Multidimensional nanofibrous scaffolds of poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) and poly(ethyl oxazoline) with improved features for cardiac tissue engineering

Aim: The aim of the study is to develop scaffolds that mimic native tissue properties for effective regeneration of the myocardium, which is affected by the gradual thinning of left ventricular tissue after an infarction. Materials & methods: Heterogenous nanofibrous scaffolds made of poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) and poly(ethyl oxazoline) were characterized for physico-chemical properties. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated by studying the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of H9c2 cells. Results: The scaffolds mimic the cardiac extracellular matrix and showed enhanced tensile strength, improved cell compatibility along with the expression of cardiac marker proteins. Conclusion: Our experimental data confirmed the importance of native tissue architecture and mechanical strength for improved cell response in cardiac tissue engineering.

Smooth Muscle Cell Alignment and Phenotype Control by Melt Spun Polycaprolactone Fibers for Seeding of Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels

A method has been developed to induce and retain a contractile phenotype for vascular smooth muscle cells, as the first step towards the development of a biomimetic blood vessel construct with minimal compliance mismatch. Melt spun PCL fibers were deposited on a mandrel to form aligned fibers of 10 μm in diameter. The fibers were bonded into aligned arrangement through dip coating in chitosan solution. This formed a surface of parallel grooves, 10 μm deep by 10 μm across, presenting a surface layer of chitosan to promote cell surface interactions. The aligned fiber surface was used to culture cells present in the vascular wall, in particular fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. This topography induced “surface guidance” over the orientation of the cells, which adopted an elongated spindle-like morphology, whereas cells on the unpatterned control surface did not show such orientation, assuming more rhomboid shapes. The preservation of VSMC contractile phenotype on the aligned scaffold was demonstrated by the retention of α-SMA expression after several days of culture. The effect was assessed on a prototype vascular graft prosthesis fabricated from polylactide caprolactone; VSMCs aligned longitudinally along a fiberless tube, whereas, for the aligned fiber coated tubes, the VSMCs aligned in the required circumferential orientation.

Application and Analysis of Biological Electrospray in Tissue Engineering

Nan-fiber scaffolds are suitable tools for tissue engineering. Electro spinning materials together with cells presents not adequate to obtain a high cellular zing tissue constructs as the shear force, tensile force, and other physical effects excited in the electro spinning process, which are harmful to cellular differentiation, development and function. However, this limitation has been overcome by a micro integration system of simultaneously bio-electro spraying human adipose stem cells (ASCs) and electro spinning Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Then it was compared to the single electro spinning nan-fiber scaffolds in relation to cell viability, which showed that the scaffolds by micro integration approach has a larger number of surviving cells and more suitable for cell growth and proliferation. In addition, the relationship between different parameters of biological electrospray (voltage, flow rate and distance of the needle from the collecting board) and droplet size of cell suspension was elucidated and the droplets with a near-mono distribution (<50um) could be generated to deposit a single living cell within a droplet. The association of bio-electro spraying with electro spinning (a scaffold preparation technique) has been demonstrated to be a promising and suitable tissue engineering approach in producing nan-fiber based three-dimensional (3-D) cell seeded scaffolds.

Nano/microfibrous polymeric constructs loaded with bioactive agents and designed for tissue engineering applications: a review

Nano/microfibrous polymeric constructs present various inherent advantages, such as highly porous architecture and high surface to volume ratio, making them attractive for tissue engineering purposes. Electrospinning is the most preferred technique for the fabrication of polymeric nanofibrous assemblies that can mimic the physical functions of native extracellular matrix greatly favoring cells attachment and thus influencing their morphology and activities. Different approaches have been developed to apply polymeric microfiber fabrication techniques (e.g. wet-spinning) for the obtainment of scaffolds with a three-dimensional network of micropores suitable for effective cells migration. Progress in additive manufacturing technology has led to the development of complex scaffold's shapes and microfibrous structures with a high degree of automation, good accuracy and reproducibility. Various loading methods, such as direct blending, coaxial electrospinning and microparticles incorporation, are enabling to develop customized strategies for the biofunctionalization of nano/microfibrous scaffolds with a tailored kinetics of release of different bioactive agents, ranging from small molecules, such as antibiotics, to protein drugs, such as growth factors, and even cells. Recent activities on the combination of different processing techniques and loading methods for the obtainment of biofunctionalized polymeric constructs with a complex multiscale structure open new possibilities for the development of biomimetic scaffolds endowed with a hierarchical architecture and a sophisticated release kinetics of different bioactive agents. This review is aimed at summarizing current advances in technologies and methods for manufacturing nano/microfibrous polymeric constructs suitable as tissue engineering scaffolds, and for their combination with different bioactive agents to promote tissue regeneration and therapeutic effects.

Therapeutic application of electrospun nanofibrous meshes

Fabricating tissue architecture-mimicking scaffolds is one of the major challenges in the field of tissue engineering. Electrospun nanofibers have been considered as potent techniques for fabricating fibrous scaffolds biomimicking extracellular frameworks. Therapeutic agent-incorporated nanofibrous meshes have widely served as excellent substrates for adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Many drugs, proteins and nucleic acids were incorporated into the scaffolds for regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal, neural and vascular tissue engineering in aims to control the release of the therapeutic agents. In the current article, we focus on introducing various fabrication techniques for electrospun nanofiber-based scaffolds and subsequent functionalization of nanofibers for therapeutic purposes. We also detail how the therapeutic nanofibrous meshes can be employed in the field of tissue engineering.

Cell electrospinning: an in vitro and in vivo study

Cell electrospinning and aerodynamically assisted bio-threading are novel bioplatforms for directly forming large quantities of cell-laden scaffolds for creating living sheets and vessels in three-dimensions. The functional biological architectures generated will be useful in both the laboratory and the clinic.

Cell electrospinning cardiac patches for tissue engineering the heart

The investigative studies performed and presented in this communication demonstrate the ability for cell electrospinning to directly handle living primary cardiac myocytes from which living cardiac fibers and scaffolds are generated. This platform technology investigated in these studies holds great promise for cardiac medicine and surgery to diagnostics and bio-analysis of cardiac tissues at all states.

Electrospun membranes: control of the structure and structure related applications in tissue regeneration and drug delivery

Multilevel structures of electrospun membranes can be controlled and the designed structures can strongly affect cell behavior and drug delivery.

Gold nanoparticle loaded hybrid nanofibers for cardiogenic differentiation of stem cells for infarcted myocardium regeneration

Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in many industrialized nations and is often related to irregularities in electrical function that can radically damage cardiac functioning. The aim of this study is to develop a novel therapeutic hybrid scaffold that can couple electrical, mechanical, and biological properties, desirable for cardiac tissue regeneration. BSA/PVA scaffolds are fabricated in the ratio 2:1 and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded scaffolds in the ratios BSA/PVA/Au of 2:1:0.1 (lower concentration) and BSA/PVA/Au of 2:1:0.4 (higher concentration) by electrospinning. The scaffolds are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and tensile testing to analyze the fiber morphology, AuNP distribution, hydrophilicity, surface functional groups, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds, respectively. Results show that ex vivo pretreatment of MSCs using 5-aza and AuNPs loaded conductive nanofibrous construct could lead to enhanced cardiomyogenic differentiation and result in superior biological and functional effects on infarcted myocardium regeneration.

Buckled structures and 5-azacytidine enhance cardiogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells

Aim: Myocardial infarction is caused after impairment of heart wall muscle following an immense cell loss and also when the myocardial tissue is lacking the inherent capacity to regenerate for normal functioning of myocardium. An immediate challenge in cardiac regeneration is to devise a strategy that leads to a reproducible degree of cardiac differentiation. We have speculated that ex vivo pretreatment of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) using 5-azacytidine and a suitable patterned nanofibrous construct could lead to cardiomyogenic differentiation and results in superior biological and functional effects on cardiac regeneration of infarcted myocardium. Materials & methods: Polyglycerol sebacate/gelatin fibers were fabricated by core/shell electrospinning with polyglycerol sebacate as the core material and gelatin as the shell material. Patterning of the core/shell fibers to form orthogonal and looped buckled nanostructures was achieved. Results: Results demonstrated that the buckled fibers showing an orthogonal orientation and looped pattern had a Young’s modulus of approximately 3.59 ± 1.58 MPa and 2.07 ± 0.44 MPa, respectively, which was comparable to that of native myocardium. The ADSCs cultured on these scaffolds demonstrated greater expression of the cardiac-specific marker proteins actinin, troponin and connexin 43, as well as characteristic multinucleation as shown by immunocytochemical and morphological analysis, indicating complete cardiogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Conclusion: In the natural milieu, cardiomyogenic differentiation probably involves multiple signaling pathways and we have postulated that a buckled structure combination of chemical treatment and environment-driven strategy induces cardiogenic differentiation of ADSCs. The combination of patterned buckled fibrous structures with stem cell biology may prove to be a productive device for myocardial infarction.

Original submitted 8 March 2012; Revised submitted 23 November 2012

Advances in the design of macroporous polymer scaffolds for potential applications in dentistry

A paradigm shift is taking place in medicine and dentistry from using synthetic implants and tissue grafts to a tissue engineering approach that uses degradable porous three-dimensional (3D) material hydrogels integrated with cells and bioactive factors to regenerate tissues such as dental bone and other oral tissues. Hydrogels have been established as a biomaterial of choice for many years, as they offer diverse properties that make them ideal in regenerative medicine, including dental applications. Being highly biocompatible and similar to native extracellular matrix, hydrogels have emerged as ideal candidates in the design of 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration and drug delivery applications. However, precise control over hydrogel properties, such as porosity, pore size, and pore interconnectivity, remains a challenge. Traditional techniques for creating conventional crosslinked polymers have demonstrated limited success in the formation of hydrogels with large pore size, thus limiting cellular infiltration, tissue ingrowth, vascularization, and matrix mineralization (in the case of bone) of tissue-engineered constructs. Emerging technologies have demonstrated the ability to control microarchitectural features in hydrogels such as the creation of large pore size, porosity, and pore interconnectivity, thus allowing the creation of engineered hydrogel scaffolds with a structure and function closely mimicking native tissues. In this review, we explore the various technologies available for the preparation of macroporous scaffolds and their potential applications.

Preservation of cell viability and protein conformation on immobilization within nanofibers via electrospinning functionalized yeast

We investigate the immobilization of a model system of functionalized yeast that surface-display enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) within chemically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers. Yeast is incorporated into water insoluble nanofibrous materials by direct electrospinning with PVA followed by vapor phase chemical crosslinking of the polymer. Incorporation of yeast into the fibers is confirmed by elemental analysis and the viability is indicated by live/dead staining. Following electrospinning and crosslinking, we confirm that the yeast maintains its viability as well as the ability to express eGFP in the correct conformation. This method of processing functionalized yeast may thus be a powerful tool in the direct immobilization of properly folded, active enzymes within electrospun nanofibers with potential applications in biocatalysis.

Cryogenic electrospinning: proposed mechanism, process parameters and its use in engineering of bilayered tissue structures

BACKGROUND

Conventional electrospun scaffolds have very small pores, thus limiting cellular infiltration, tissue ingrowth and vascularization in tissue engineering applications. The cryogenic electrospinning process overcame the small pore size constraints found in conventional electrospun scaffolds.

AIM

The aim of this paper is to propose a mechanism for cryogenic electrospinning and how scaffold pore size can be controlled.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We studied the roles of ice crystals in controlling the pore size of cryogenic electrospun scaffolds (CES). Based on this understanding, we have successfully fabricated a bilayered scaffold with distinctly different pore sizes.

RESULTS

Our study showed that CES pore size was dependent on the structure of the frost layer formed and hence the factors affecting ice deposition. The bilayered scaffold was able to support the coculture of human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

CONCLUSION

The larger pores of CES add versatility to the use of electrospun scaffolds in tissue engineering applications.

Laminin Functionalized Biomimetic Nanofibers For Nerve Tissue Engineering

Large-gap peripheral nerve injuries present a significant challenge for nerve regeneration due to lack of suitable grafts, insufficient cell penetration, and repair. Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds, functionalized on the surface with extracellular matrix proteins, can lead to novel therapies for repair and regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves. Here, nanofibrous scaffolds electrospun from blends of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and chitosan were fabricated. Taking advantage of the amine groups on the chitosan, the surface of the scaffolds were functionalized with laminin by carbodiimide based crosslinking. Crosslinking allowed laminin to be attached to the surfaces of the PCL-chitosan nanofibers at relatively high concentrations that were not possible using conventional adsorption methods. The nanofibrous meshes were tested for wettability, mechanical properties and cell attachment and proliferation. Blending of chitosan with PCL provided more favorable surfaces for attachment of Schwann cells due to the reduction of the contact angle in comparison to neat PCL. Proliferation rates of Schwann cells grown on PCL-chitosan scaffolds with crosslinked laminin were significantly higher than the rates for PCL-chitosan nanofibrous matrices with adsorbed laminin. PCL-chitosan scaffolds with modified surfaces via crosslinking of laminin could potentially serves as versatile substrates with excellent mechanical and surface properties for in vivo cell delivery for nerve tissue engineering applications.

Materials composed of the Drosophila melanogaster protein ultrabithorax are cytocompatible

The Drosophila melanogaster Hox protein ultrabithorax (Ubx) has the interesting ability to hierarchically self-assemble in vitro into materials that have mechanical properties comparable to natural elastin. Ubx materials can be easily functionalized by gene fusion, generating potentially useful scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. Here, we tested the cytocompatibility of fibers composed of Ubx or an mCherry-Ubx fusion protein. Fibers were cultured with three primary human cell lines derived from vasculature at low passage: umbilical vein endothelial cells, brain vascular pericytes, or aortic smooth muscle cells. No direct or indirect toxicity was observed for any cell line, in response to fibers composed of either plain Ubx or mCherry-Ubx. Cells readily adhered to Ubx fibers, and cells attached to fibers could be transferred between tissue cultures without loss of viability for at least 96 h. When attached to fibers, the morphology of the three cell lines differed somewhat, but all cells in contact with Ubx fibers exhibited a microtubular network aligned with the long axis of Ubx fibers. Thus, Ubx fibers are cytocompatible with cultured primary human vascular cells.

A novel method to precisely assemble loose nanofiber structures for regenerative medicine applications

Polymer nanofibers are favorable for tissue engineering scaffolds because of their high surface-to-volume ratio and biomimicry of the extracellular matrix. Random and uniaxially oriented polymer nanofibers are easily fabricated by conventional electrospinning techniques; however, control over fiber organization within nanofiber structures is limited when they are collected directly from an electrospinning jet. The regenerative medicine applications of electrospun scaffolds could be expanded by developing assembly methods that allow better control of fiber organization. Here, a novel technique is presented that utilizes parallel automated tracks to orient and collect nanofibers from an electrospinning jet. The stabilized fibers are then subsequently assembled into desirable structures. It is difficult to assemble complex structures directly from an electrospinning jet because of high electrical charge and velocities, so this technology adds an intermediate step where nanofibers are immobilized on automated tracks. The result is a continuous steady-state delivery of static stabilized nanofibers that provides a unique and promising platform for automated post processing into useful nanofiber structures. This technique also allows for an indefinite amount of time, as determined by design parameters, for fibers to dry or cool before they contact other nanofibers in the collection site, thus eliminating potential for fiber-to-fiber adhesions even with slow evaporating solvents or high-temperature melts. To demonstrate potential in regenerative medicine applications, several nanofiber structures were fabricated, including: 2D structures with well-controlled fiber density; 3D loosely assembled aligned nanofiber structures with good cell penetration properties; and, complex layer-by-layer 3D aligned fiber structures assembled by integration with post-processing techniques.