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Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2022) | Viewed by 50082

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ioana Chiulan

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Guest Editor
Department of Bioresources and Polymer Science, Advanced Polymer Materials Group, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: polymers; nanocomposites; biomaterials; medical devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials are a hot topic in many scientific and technological fields, with a rapid growth and developments in areas such as pharmacology, tissue engineering, dentistry, imaging, surgery or cosmetics. The development of new biomaterials is an iterative process, and continuous efforts are made in academic and industrial sectors to create dental implants, vascular, joints, catheters, scaffolds, wound dressing, drug delivery systems, etc., more reliable, inexpensive, and safe.  

The present Special Issue welcomes contributions in the form of full articles, short communications, or review articles featuring important and recent developments in polymer synthesis and nanocomposite preparation dedicated to the regeneration of human tissues and organs and implantable devices. Particular attention will be paid to studies related with the design and characterization of new biocomposites based on either natural occurring polymers, synthetic polymers or semi-synthetic polymers, surface functionalized biopolymers with chromophore groups, and three-dimensional nanoparticles for biomedical applications.    

Furthermore, this Special Issue aims to gather multidisciplinary research efforts and cover the area of biomaterials in a comprehensive way. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: i) the design and development of new architectural frameworks similar to the native extracellular matrix; ii) the evaluations of inflammatory response of implanted biomaterials and identification of new modalities for their prevention using natural compounds; iii) new concepts to obtain biomaterials with enhanced mechanical performances and how to trigger in vivo biodegradability; iv) synthesis of new nanomaterials for diagnostic purposes; v) development of nanoparticles of biomedical importance, i.e., multimodal disease diagnostics, imaging and sensing and, particularly, their interaction with the biological matrix.

If this exciting topic fits your current research activity, I invite you to submit your research results and promote them in this Special Issue.

Dr. Ioana Chiulan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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

  • Biopolymers
  • Nanoparticles
  • Biocomposites
  • Tissue engineering
  • Polymer synthesis
  • Drug delivery
  • Wound healing

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial on Special Issue “Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering”
by Ioana Chiulan
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(12), 6078; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12126078 - 15 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1176
Abstract
The development of new materials, new manufacturing methods, and new techniques has attracted interest from many researchers in recent decades [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

24 pages, 1469 KiB  
Article
Chicken Feather Keratin Peptides for the Control of Keratinocyte Migration
by Cláudia M. Botelho, Pedro Ferreira-Santos, Duarte Toubarro, Hugo Dinis, Hugo Osório, Augusto Costa-Barbosa, Paula Sampaio, Nelson Simões and José A. Teixeira
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6779; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156779 - 23 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2998
Abstract
FAO estimates that in 2030 the poultry meat production could reach 120 million tons, which is a challenge in terms of waste management. Feathers are mainly composed of keratin, an important biomaterial. Using feathers as a source of keratin will minimize the waste [...] Read more.
FAO estimates that in 2030 the poultry meat production could reach 120 million tons, which is a challenge in terms of waste management. Feathers are mainly composed of keratin, an important biomaterial. Using feathers as a source of keratin will minimize the waste generated, while contributing to supply an important material for several industries, such as pharmaceutical and biomedical. The peptides were extracted from the feathers by microbial degradation. In this study, we evaluated the peptides effect on keratinocyte metabolic activity and migration. The influence of these peptides on non-activated and activated macrophages was also assessed. It was demonstrated that depending on the keratin peptide fraction in contact with keratinocytes, it is possible to modulate the migration rate of the keratinocytes. Peptide fraction with low molecular weight increases migration, while peptides with a high range of molecular sizes decreases it. Some peptide fractions induce the secretion of TNF-α in non-activated macrophages and not on activated macrophages, demonstrating that these peptides should only be placed in contact with cells, in the context of an ongoing inflammatory process. This work is a step forward on the understanding of keratin peptides influence on keratinocytes and immune cells system cells, macrophages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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18 pages, 6614 KiB  
Article
Thermal and Mechanical Assessment of PLA-SEBS and PLA-SEBS-CNT Biopolymer Blends for 3D Printing
by Balázs Ádám and Zoltán Weltsch
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6218; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136218 - 5 Jul 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3352
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising biopolymers often used as a raw material in 3D printing in many industrial areas. It has good mechanical properties, is characterized by high strength and stiffness, but unfortunately, it has some disadvantages; one is [...] Read more.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising biopolymers often used as a raw material in 3D printing in many industrial areas. It has good mechanical properties, is characterized by high strength and stiffness, but unfortunately, it has some disadvantages; one is brittleness, and the other is slow crystallization. Amounts of 1–5% SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) thermoplastic elastomer were blended into the PLA and the thermal and mechanical properties were investigated. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) measurements on the filaments have shown that SEBS increases the initial temperature of crystallization, thereby acting as a nucleating agent. The cooling rate of 3D printing, on the other hand, is too fast for PLA, so printed specimens behave almost amorphously. The presence of SEBS increases the impact strength, neck formation appears during the tensile test, and in the bending test, the mixture either suffers partial fracture or only bends without fracture. Samples containing 1% SEBS were selected for further analysis, mixed with 0.06 and 0.1% carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and tested for thermal and mechanical properties. As a result of CNTs, another peak appeared on the DSC curve in addition to the original single-peak crystallization, and the specimens previously completely broken in the mechanical tests suffered partial fractures, and the partially fractured pieces almost completely regained their original shape at the end of the test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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18 pages, 2572 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Mechanical and Setting Properties in Acrylic Bone Cements Added with Graphene Oxide
by Lina Marcela Ruiz Rojas, Mayra Eliana Valencia Zapata, Marisol Gordillo Suarez, Rigoberto Advincula, Carlos David Grande-Tovar and José Herminsul Mina Hernández
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 5185; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115185 - 3 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
The extended use of acrylic bone cements (ABC) in orthopedics presents some disadvantages related to the generation of high temperatures during methyl methacrylate polymerization, thermal tissue necrosis, and low mechanical properties. Both weaknesses cause an increase in costs for the health system and [...] Read more.
The extended use of acrylic bone cements (ABC) in orthopedics presents some disadvantages related to the generation of high temperatures during methyl methacrylate polymerization, thermal tissue necrosis, and low mechanical properties. Both weaknesses cause an increase in costs for the health system and a decrease in the patient’s quality of life due to the prosthesis’s loosening. Materials such as graphene oxide (GO) have a reinforcing effect on ABC’s mechanical and setting properties. This article shows for the first time the interactions present between the factors sonication time and GO percentage in the liquid phase, together with the percentage of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the solid phase, on the mechanical and setting properties established for cements in the ISO 5833-02 standard. Optimization of the factors using a completely randomized experimental design with a factorial structure resulted in selecting nine combinations that presented an increase in compression, flexion, and the setting time and decreased the maximum temperature reached during the polymerization. All of these characteristics are desirable for improving the clinical performance of cement. Those containing 0.3 wt.% of GO were highlighted from the selected formulations because all the possible combinations of the studied factors generate desirable properties for the ABC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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7 pages, 1834 KiB  
Communication
Induction of Stem Cell Like Cells from Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast by Short-Term Shear Stress and Vitamin C
by Seungmin Yeom, Myung Chul Lee, Shambhavi Pandey, Jaewoon Lim, Sangbae Park, Jae Eun Kim, Kyoung Je Jang, Hoon Seonwoo, Pankaj Garg and Jong Hoon Chung
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041941 - 23 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2057
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a good medicine source because of their potential to differentiate into various tissues or cells. However, traditionally, iPSCs made by specific transgenes and virus vectors are not appropriate for clinical use because of safety concerns and risk [...] Read more.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a good medicine source because of their potential to differentiate into various tissues or cells. However, traditionally, iPSCs made by specific transgenes and virus vectors are not appropriate for clinical use because of safety concerns and risk of tumor development. The goal of this research was to develop an alternative method for reprogramming, using small molecules and external stimuli. Two groups were established: short-term shear stress (STSS) under suspension culture and a combination of short-term shear stress and vitamin C (SSVC) under suspension culture. For STSS, the pipetting was carried out for cells twice per day for 2 min for 14 days in the embryonic stem cell (ES) medium. In the case of SSVC, the procedure was the same as for STSS however, its ES medium included 10 µM of vitamin C. After 14 days, all spheroids were picked and checked for pluripotency by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) assay and immunocytochemistry. Both groups partially showed the characteristics of stem cells but data demonstrated that the spheroids under shear stress and vitamin C had improved stem cell-like properties. This research showed the possibility of external stimuli and small molecules to reprogram the somatic cells without the use of transgenes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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13 pages, 2123 KiB  
Article
Oil-In-Water Microemulsion Encapsulation of Antagonist Drugs Prevents Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats
by Parisa Hasanein, Abbas Rahdar, Mahmood Barani, Francesco Baino and Siamak Yari
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031264 - 30 Jan 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2411
Abstract
Developing new therapeutic drugs to prevent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal injuries is highly pursued. Liposomal encapsulation of spironolactone (SP) as a mineralocorticoid antagonist increases dissolution rate, bioavailability and prevents the drug from degradation. In this context, this work develops a new formulation of oil-in-water [...] Read more.
Developing new therapeutic drugs to prevent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal injuries is highly pursued. Liposomal encapsulation of spironolactone (SP) as a mineralocorticoid antagonist increases dissolution rate, bioavailability and prevents the drug from degradation. In this context, this work develops a new formulation of oil-in-water type microemulsions to enhance the bioavailability of SP. The size of the SP-loaded microemulsion was about 6.0 nm by dynamic light scattering analysis. Briefly, we investigated the effects of nano-encapsulated SP (NESP) on renal oxidative stress, biochemical markers and histopathological changes in a rat model of renal I/R injury. Forty eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Two groups served as control and injury model (I/R). Two groups received “conventional” SP administration (20 mg/kg) and NESP (20 mg/kg), respectively, for two days. The remaining two groups received SP (20 mg/kg) and NESP (20 mg/kg) two days before induction of I/R. At the end of the experiments, serum and kidneys of rats underwent biochemical, molecular and histological examinations. Our results showed that I/R induces renal oxidative stress, abnormal histological features and altered levels of renal biomarkers. Administration of SP in healthy animals did not cause any significant changes in the measured biochemical and histological parameters compared to the control group. However, SP administration in the I/R group caused some corrections in renal injury, although it could not completely restore I/R-induced renal oxidative stress and kidney damage. On the contrary, NESP administration restored kidney oxidative injury via decreasing renal lipid peroxidation and enhancing glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in kidneys of the I/R group. The deviated serum levels of urea, creatinine, total proteins and uric acid were also normalized by NESP administration. Furthermore, NESP protected against renal abnormal histology features induced by I/R. Therefore, NESP has beneficial effects in preventing kidney damage and renal oxidative stress in a rat model of I/R, which deserves further evaluations in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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Review

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24 pages, 2083 KiB  
Review
The Use of Graphene and Its Derivatives for the Development of Polymer Matrix Composites by Stereolithographic 3D Printing
by Ioana Chiulan, Ştefan Ioan Voicu and Dan Batalu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(7), 3521; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12073521 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3909
Abstract
Significant advances in graphene-based materials have facilitated the development of various composites structures in a diverse range of industry sectors. At present, the preparation of graphene-added materials is mainly developed through traditional methods. However, in recent years, additive manufacturing emerged as a promising [...] Read more.
Significant advances in graphene-based materials have facilitated the development of various composites structures in a diverse range of industry sectors. At present, the preparation of graphene-added materials is mainly developed through traditional methods. However, in recent years, additive manufacturing emerged as a promising approach that enables the printing of complex objects in a layer-by-layer fashion, without the need for moulds or machining equipment. This paper reviews the most recent reports on graphene-based photopolymerizable resins developed for stereolithography (SLA), with particular consideration for medical applications. The characteristics of the SLA technology, the most suitable raw materials and formulations and the properties of final 3D products are described. Throughout, a specific focus is placed on the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the final 3D-printed object. Finally, remaining challenges and future directions are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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23 pages, 1651 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Structures as the Wound-Healing Biomaterials: A Clinically Oriented Review
by Mohammad Foad Abazari, Shayan Gholizadeh, Shohreh Zare Karizi, Nazanin Hajati Birgani, Danya Abazari, Simin Paknia, Hossein Derakhshankhah, Zahra Allahyari, Seyed Mohammad Amini, Masoud Hamidi and Cedric Delattre
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7769; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11177769 - 24 Aug 2021
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6525
Abstract
Application of wound-healing/dressing biomaterials is amongst the most promising approaches for wound repair through protection from pathogen invasion/contamination, maintaining moisture, absorbing exudates, modulating inflammation, and facilitating the healing process. A wide range of materials are used to fabricate wound-healing/dressing biomaterials. Active wound-healing/dressings are [...] Read more.
Application of wound-healing/dressing biomaterials is amongst the most promising approaches for wound repair through protection from pathogen invasion/contamination, maintaining moisture, absorbing exudates, modulating inflammation, and facilitating the healing process. A wide range of materials are used to fabricate wound-healing/dressing biomaterials. Active wound-healing/dressings are next-generation alternatives for passive biomaterials, which provide a physical barrier and induce different biological activities, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and proliferative effects. Cellulose-based biomaterials are particularly promising due to their tunable physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties, accessibility, low cost, and biocompatibility. A thorough description and analysis of wound-healing/dressing structures fabricated from cellulose-based biomaterials is discussed in this review. We emphasize and highlight the fabrication methods, applied bioactive molecules, and discuss the obtained results from in vitro and in vivo models of cellulose-based wound-healing biomaterials. This review paper revealed that cellulose-based biomaterials have promising potential as the wound-dressing/healing materials and can be integrated with various bioactive agents. Overall, cellulose-based biomaterials are shown to be effective and sophisticated structures for delivery applications, safe and multi-customizable dressings, or grafts for wound-healing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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Graphical abstract

34 pages, 1454 KiB  
Review
Applications of Nanosized-Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Wound Care
by Andreea-Mariana Matei, Constantin Caruntu, Mircea Tampa, Simona Roxana Georgescu, Clara Matei, Maria Magdalena Constantin, Traian Vasile Constantin, Daniela Calina, Diana Alina Ciubotaru, Ioana Anca Badarau, Cristian Scheau and Ana Caruntu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4915; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114915 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 7100
Abstract
Impaired wound healing is an encumbering public health issue that increases the demand for developing new therapies in order to minimize health costs and enhance treatment efficacy. Available conventional therapies are still unable to maximize their potential in penetrating the skin at the [...] Read more.
Impaired wound healing is an encumbering public health issue that increases the demand for developing new therapies in order to minimize health costs and enhance treatment efficacy. Available conventional therapies are still unable to maximize their potential in penetrating the skin at the target site and accelerating the healing process. Nanotechnology exhibits an excellent opportunity to enrich currently available medical treatments, enhance standard care and manage wounds. It is a promising approach, able to address issues such as the permeability and bioavailability of drugs with reduced stability or low water solubility. This paper focuses on nanosized-lipid-based drug delivery systems, describing their numerous applications in managing skin wounds. We also highlight the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of nanosized, lipid-based drug delivery systems and their impact on the wound-healing process. Different types of nanosized-lipid-based drug delivery systems, such as vesicular systems and lipid nanoparticles, demonstrated better applicability and enhanced skin penetration in wound healing therapy compared with conventional treatments. Moreover, an improved chemically and physically stable drug delivery system, with increased drug loading capacity and enhanced bioavailability, has been shown in drugs encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. Their applications in wound care show potential for overcoming impediments, such as the inadequate bioavailability of active agents with low solubility. Future research in nanosized-lipid-based drug delivery systems will allow the achievement of increased bioavailability and better control of drug release, providing the clinician with more effective therapies for wound care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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16 pages, 2249 KiB  
Review
Modifications of Wound Dressings with Bioactive Agents to Achieve Improved Pro-Healing Properties
by Vladyslav Vivcharenko and Agata Przekora
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4114; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094114 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 9006
Abstract
The great variety of wounds and the lack of an effective universal treatment method has resulted in high demand for modern treatment strategies. Traditional approaches are often ineffective on a variety of chronic wounds, such as venous ulcers or the diabetic foot ulcer. [...] Read more.
The great variety of wounds and the lack of an effective universal treatment method has resulted in high demand for modern treatment strategies. Traditional approaches are often ineffective on a variety of chronic wounds, such as venous ulcers or the diabetic foot ulcer. There is strong evidence that naturally derived bioactive compounds have pro-healing properties, raising a great interest in their potential use for wound healing. Plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin and essential oils, are widely used to modify materials applied as wound dressings. Moreover, dressing materials are more often enriched with vitamins (e.g., L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol) and drugs (e.g., antibiotics, inhibitors of proteases) to improve the skin healing rate. Biomaterials loaded with the above-mentioned molecules show better biocompatibility and are basically characterized by better biological properties, ensuring faster tissue repair process. The main emphasis of the presented review is put on the novel findings concerning modern pro-healing wound dressings that have contributed to the development of regenerative medicine. The article briefly describes the synthesis and modifications of biomaterials with bioactive compounds (including curcumin, essential oils, vitamins) to improve their pro-healing properties. The paper also summarizes biological effects of the novel wound dressings on the enhancement of skin regeneration. The current review was prepared based on the scientific contributions in the PubMed database (supported with Google Scholar searching) over the past 5 years using relevant keywords. Scientific reports on the modification of biomaterials using curcumin, vitamins, and essential oils were mainly considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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19 pages, 1413 KiB  
Review
Tissue Engineering Strategies for Retina Regeneration
by Deepthi S. Rajendran Nair, Magdalene J. Seiler, Kahini H. Patel, Vinoy Thomas, Juan Carlos Martinez Camarillo, Mark S. Humayun and Biju B. Thomas
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052154 - 28 Feb 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7301
Abstract
The retina is a complex and fragile photosensitive part of the central nervous system which is prone to degenerative diseases leading to permanent vision loss. No proven treatment strategies exist to treat or reverse the degenerative conditions. Recent investigations demonstrate that cell transplantation [...] Read more.
The retina is a complex and fragile photosensitive part of the central nervous system which is prone to degenerative diseases leading to permanent vision loss. No proven treatment strategies exist to treat or reverse the degenerative conditions. Recent investigations demonstrate that cell transplantation therapies to replace the dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and or the degenerating photoreceptors (PRs) are viable options to restore vision. Pluripotent stem cells, retinal progenitor cells, and somatic stem cells are the main cell sources used for cell transplantation therapies. The success of retinal transplantation based on cell suspension injection is hindered by limited cell survival and lack of cellular integration. Recent advances in material science helped to develop strategies to grow cells as intact monolayers or as sheets on biomaterial scaffolds for transplantation into the eyes. Such implants are found to be more promising than the bolus injection approach. Tissue engineering techniques are specifically designed to construct biodegradable or non-degradable polymer scaffolds to grow cells as a monolayer and construct implantable grafts. The engineered cell construct along with the extracellular matrix formed, can hold the cells in place to enable easy survival, better integration, and improved visual function. This article reviews the advances in the use of scaffolds for transplantation studies in animal models and their application in current clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials, Polymers and Tissue Engineering)
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