Bi‐Layered Tubular Microfiber Scaffolds as Functional Templates for Engineering Human Intestinal Smooth Muscle Tissue. (27th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Ying; Guo, Chengchen; Manousiouthakis, Eleana; Wang, Xiuli; Cairns, Dana M.; Roh, Terrence T.; Du, Chuang; Kaplan, David L.
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 30:Number 17(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-02-27
• Subjects: bi‐layered tubular scaffolds -- intestine models -- neurite extension -- silk protein microfibers -- smooth muscle engineering; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202000543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Designing biomimetic scaffolds with in vivo–like microenvironments using biomaterials is an essential component of successful tissue engineering approaches. The intestinal smooth muscle layers exhibit a complex tubular structure consisting of two concentric muscle layers in which the inner circular layer is orthogonally oriented to the outer longitudinal layer. Here, a 3D bi‐layered tubular scaffold is presented based on flexible, mechanically robust, and well aligned silk protein microfibers to mimic the native human intestinal smooth muscle structure. The scaffolds are seeded with primary human intestinal smooth muscle cells to replicate intestinal muscle tissues in vitro. Characterization of the tissue constructs reveals good biocompatibility and support for cell alignment and elongation in the different scaffold layers to enhance cell differentiation and functions. Furthermore, the engineered smooth muscle constructs support oriented neurite outgrowth, a requisite step to achieve functional innervation. These results suggest these microfiber scaffolds as functional templates for in vitro regeneration of human intestinal smooth muscle systems. The scaffolding provides a crucial step toward engineering functional human intestinal tissue in vitro, as well as engineering other types of smooth muscles in terms of their similar phenotypes. Such utility may lead to a better understanding of smooth muscle associated diseases and treatments. Abstract : A bi‐layered tubular microfiber scaffold is designed to reproduce the architecture of native human intestine smooth muscle for in vitro tissue engineering applications. The biomaterial scaffold demonstrates good cytocompatibility and enhances smooth muscle cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the different scaffold layers. This type of composite scaffold can be useful for engineering other types of tissues.