New nanofibrous composites allow more space for cell growth on scaffolds

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new generation of nanofibrous scaffolds for tendon, ligament and knee meniscus tissue regeneration — tunable 3-D composite nanofibrous scaffolds.

According to a university press release, the new composites provide extra space for cell growth, which eliminates the problem of poor cell infiltration caused by tightly packed fibers found in current scaffold technology.

“These are tiny fibers with a huge potential that can be unlocked by including a space-holding element,” Robert L. Mauck, PhD, a previous graduate student at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, stated in the press release.

Two types of fiber make the extra space provided in the scaffolds — a slow-degrading polymer and a sacrificial, water-soluble polymer. According to the release, the polymers allow for true 3-D scaffolds for cell growth rather than cells lying on nanofibrous mats. Even after the researchers removed greater than 50% of the initial fibers, the 3-D scaffolds allowed for “highly organized extracellular matrix formation across multiple length scales” and cell alignment, the researchers wrote in their study abstract. The scaffolds reportedly encourage formation of 3-D tissues greater than 1 mm thick both in vitro and in vivo.

“This approach transforms what was once an interesting biomaterials phenomenon – cells on the surface of nanofibrous mats – into a method by which functional, 3-D tissues can be formed,” Mauck stated in the release.

References:

Baker BM, Shah RP, Silverstein AM, Esterhai JL, et al. Sacrificial nanofibrous composites provide instruction without impediment and enable functional tissue formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. Published online ahead of print August 7, 2012.