A Simple Modification Method to Obtain Anisotropic and Porous 3D Microfibrillar Scaffolds for Surgical and Biomedical Applications. Issue 4 (4th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hosseini, Vahid; Evrova, Olivera; Hoerstrup, Simon P.; Vogel, Viola
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 14:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-12-04
• Subjects: 3D -- anisotropic -- reconstructive surgery -- scaffolds -- tissue engineering; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201702650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: In native tissues, cellular organization is predominantly anisotropic. Yet, it remains a challenge to engineer anisotropic scaffolds that promote anisotropic cellular organization at macroscopic length scales. To overcome this challenge, an innovative, cheap and easy method to align clinically approved non‐woven surgical microfibrillar scaffolds is presented. The method involves a three‐step process of coating, unidirectional stretching of scaffolds after heating them above glass transition temperature, and cooling back to room temperature. Briefly, a polymer coating is applied to a non‐woven mesh that results in a partial welding of randomly oriented microfibers at their intersection points. The coated scaffold is then heated above the glass transition temperature of the coating and the scaffold polymer. Subsequently, the coated scaffold is stretched to produce aligned and three dimentional (3D) porous fibrillar scaffolds. In a proof of concept study, a polyglycolic acid (PGA) micro‐fibrillar scaffold was coated with poly(4‐hydroxybutirate) (P4HB) acid and subsequently aligned. Fibroblasts were cultured in vitro within the scaffold and results showed an increase in cellular alignment along the direction of the PGA fibers. This method can be scaled up easily for industrial production of polymeric meshes or directly applied to small pieces of scaffolds at the point of care. Abstract : An innovative, cheap and easy method to align 3D fibrillar scaffolds is presented for surgical and tissue engineering applications. The three‐step method enables creation of aligned and porous 3D networks of fibers with interconnected pores that are suitable for in situ infiltration and alignment of cells.