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Special Issue "Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds"

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2023 | Viewed by 7484

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chiara Emma Campiglio

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Guest Editor

Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
Interests: biomaterials for tissue engineering; organ-on-chip; lung toxicology; kidney tissue engineering

Dr. Sílvia J. Bidarra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

i3S/INEB, Bioengineered 3D Microenvironments Group, Porto, Portugal
Interests: 3D tumor models; hydrogel; cell-responsive/instructive hydrogels; regenerative medicine; biomedical engineering; vascularization therapies; tissue engineering; cell-biomaterial interactions

Dr. Thomas Distler

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Guest Editor

Formerly: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Interests: biomaterials; hydrogels; protein-based biomaterials; tissue engineering; electroconductive hydrogels; 3D printing; neural regeneration; mechanobiology; complex mechanical hydrogel and tissue properties; cell–material interaction
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As is widely known, tissue engineering offers a unique alternative to current clinical treatments. With the aim of developing a complex living-tissue replacement, concerted efforts must be focused on creating extracellular-matrix-mimicking biomaterials that encourage interactions with host cells to unlock the body’s innate powers of organization and self-repair.

There are several technologies available for the fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds that focus on the use of a substance innately able (or engineered) to assume a desirable form that can be applied to both synthesize a 3D cellular microenvironment for cell accommodation and guide new tissue formation. Moreover, the identification of a material able to maintain its structure and integrity for predictable periods of time can ensure new tissue formation and maturation. Among the materials used in tissue engineering, naturally occurring biopolymers are often chosen as they show high biocompatibility, a favorable pro-remodeling host immune response and an instructive micro-environment for tissue remodeling. Their ability to mimic the chemical properties of native extracellular matrix represents a great advantage that allows the fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds for the evaluation of cellular responses to material cues, providing tools for the in vitro modeling of disease and the treatment of patients using precision medicine.

This Special Issue covers current research (original research papers, review articles and short communications) that focuses on the development and characterization of innovative biomimetic scaffolds made of naturally occurring polymers, which are used to recapitulate tissue formation and repair mechanisms within a 3D functional microenvironment.

Dr. Chiara Emma Campiglio
Dr. Sílvia J. Bidarra
Dr. Thomas Distler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

natural polymers
biomaterials
biomimetic structure
scaffold
tissue engineering
biopolymer
biocompatibility
cell–material interaction

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Properties of Resorbable Conduits Based on Poly(L-Lactide) Nanofibers and Chitosan Fibers for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Nurjemal A. Tagandurdyyeva

Irina P. Dobrovol’skaya

and

Polymers 2023, 15(15), 3323; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15153323 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 346

Abstract

New tubular conduits have been developed for the regeneration of peripheral nerves and the repair of defects that are larger than 3 cm. The conduits consist of a combination of poly(L-lactide) nanofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils. In vitro studies were conducted to assess the biocompatibility of the conduits using human embryonic bone marrow stromal cells (FetMSCs). The studies revealed good adhesion and differentiation of the cells on the conduits just one day after cultivation. Furthermore, an in vivo study was carried out to evaluate motor-coordination disorders using the sciatic nerve functional index (SFI) assessment. The presence of chitosan monofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils in the conduit design increased the regeneration rate of the sciatic nerve, with an SFI value ranging from 76 to 83. The degree of recovery of nerve conduction was measured by the amplitude of M-response, which showed a 46% improvement. The conduit design imitates the oriented architecture of the nerve, facilitates electrical communication between the damaged nerve’s ends, and promotes the direction of nerve growth, thereby increasing the regeneration rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds)

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Open AccessArticle

Synthetic Heparan Sulfate Mimetic Polymer Enhances Corneal Nerve Regeneration and Wound Healing after Experimental Laser Ablation Injury in Mice

Ignacio Alcalde

Cristina Sánchez-Fernández

Susana Del Olmo-Aguado

and

Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4921; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224921 - 15 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1028

Abstract

(1) Background: Abnormal corneal wound healing compromises visual acuity and can lead to neuropathic pain. Conventional treatments usually fail to restore the injured corneal tissue. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a synthetic heparan sulfate mimetic polymer (HSmP) in a mouse model of corneal wound healing. (2) Methods: A surgical laser ablation affecting the central cornea and subbasal nerve plexus of mice was used as a model of the wound-healing assay. Topical treatment with HSmP was contrasted to its vehicle and a negative control (BSS). Corneal repair was studied using immunofluorescence to cell proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (TUNEL assay), myofibroblast transformation (αSMA), assembly of epithelial cells (E-cadherin) and nerve regeneration (β-tubulin III). (3) Results: At the end of the treatment, normal epithelial cytoarchitecture and corneal thickness were achieved in HSmP-treated animals. HSmP treatment reduced myofibroblast occurrence compared to eyes irrigated with vehicle (p < 0.01) or BSS (p < 0.001). The HSmP group showed 50% more intraepithelial nerves than the BSS or vehicle groups. Only HSmP-treated corneas improved the visual quality to near transparent. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that HSmP facilitates the regeneration of the corneal epithelium and innervation, as well as restoring transparency and reducing myofibroblast scarring after laser experimental injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds)

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Open AccessArticle

A Biomimetic Nonwoven-Reinforced Hydrogel for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

and

Polymers 2022, 14(20), 4376; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204376 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1206

Abstract

In clinical trials, new scaffolds for regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) should reflect the importance of a mechanically optimised, hydrated environment. Composite scaffolds of nonwovens, self-assembling peptides (SAPs) and hydrogels offer the ability to mimic native spinal cord tissue, promote aligned tissue regeneration and tailor mechanical properties. This work studies the effects of an aligned electrospun nonwoven of P₁₁-8—enriched poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibres, integrated with a photo-crosslinked hydrogel of glycidylmethacrylated collagen (collagen-GMA), on neurite extension. Mechanical properties of collagen-GMA hydrogel in compression and shear were recorded, along with cell viability. Collagen-GMA hydrogels showed J-shaped stress–strain curves in compression, mimicking native spinal cord tissue. For hydrogels prepared with a 0.8-1.1 wt.% collagen-GMA concentration, strain at break values were 68 ± 1–81 ± 1% (±SE); maximum stress values were 128 ± 9–311 ± 18 kPa (±SE); and maximum force values were 1.0 ± 0.1–2.5 ± 0.1 N (±SE). These values closely mimicked the compression values for feline and porcine tissue in the literature, especially those for 0.8 wt.%. Complex shear modulus values fell in the range 345–2588 Pa, with the lower modulus hydrogels in the range optimal for neural cell survival and growth. Collagen-GMA hydrogel provided an environment for homogenous and three-dimensional cell encapsulation, and high cell viability of 84 ± 2%. Combination of the aligned PCL/P₁₁-8 electrospun nonwoven and collagen-GMA hydrogel retained fibre alignment and pore structure, respectively, and promoted aligned neurite extension of PC12 cells. Thus, it is possible to conclude that scaffolds with mechanical properties that both closely mimic native spinal cord tissue and are optimal for neural cells can be produced, which also promote aligned tissue regeneration when the benefits of hydrogels and electrospun nonwovens are combined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Current Strategies for Engineered Vascular Grafts and Vascularized Tissue Engineering

and

Polymers 2023, 15(9), 2015; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092015 - 24 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1740

Abstract

Blood vessels not only transport oxygen and nutrients to each organ, but also play an important role in the regulation of tissue regeneration. Impaired or occluded vessels can result in ischemia, tissue necrosis, or even life-threatening events. Bioengineered vascular grafts have become a promising alternative treatment for damaged or occlusive vessels. Large-scale tubular grafts, which can match arteries, arterioles, and venules, as well as meso- and microscale vasculature to alleviate ischemia or prevascularized engineered tissues, have been developed. In this review, materials and techniques for engineering tubular scaffolds and vasculature at all levels are discussed. Examples of vascularized tissue engineering in bone, peripheral nerves, and the heart are also provided. Finally, the current challenges are discussed and the perspectives on future developments in biofunctional engineered vessels are delineated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds)

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Open AccessReview

Drug-Loaded Chitosan Scaffolds for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

Gamal Abdel Nasser Atia

Hany K. Shalaby

Mehrukh Zehravi

Mohamed Mohamady Ghobashy

Hager Abdel Nasser Attia

and

Polymers 2022, 14(15), 3192; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14153192 - 05 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2427

Abstract

Chitosan is a natural anionic polysaccharide with a changeable architecture and an abundance of functional groups; in addition, it can be converted into various shapes and sizes, making it appropriate for a variety of applications. This article examined and summarized current developments in chitosan-based materials, with a focus on the modification of chitosan, and presented an abundance of information about the fabrication and use of chitosan-derived products in periodontal regeneration. Numerous preparation and modification techniques for enhancing chitosan performance, as well as the uses of chitosan and its metabolites, were reviewed critically and discussed in depth in this study. Chitosan-based products may be formed into different shapes and sizes, considering fibers, nanostructures, gels, membranes, and hydrogels. Various drug-loaded chitosan devices were discussed regarding periodontal regeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymer-Based Biomimetic Scaffolds)

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