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Polymers
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Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering
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Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2022) | Viewed by 15492

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gratiela Pircalabioru

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050107 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: microbiota; microbiome; type 2 diabetes; metabolic syndrome; omics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ionela Cristina Nica

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: nanomedicine; biomaterials; toxicology; biological response; tissue engineering; materials characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tissue engineering is an attractive interdisciplinary field aiming to develop functional biological substitutes to restore or improve tissue function by combining various scaffolds with cells. A wide array of scaffolds produced using a variety of biomaterials and manufactured by different fabrication techniques have been employed in the field to achieve regeneration of different tissues and organs. Scaffolds should attain several attributes, including biocompatibility with the host tissues, mechanical strength, suitable porosity, and biodegradability to non-toxic byproducts.

In this Special Issue on “Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering”, the focus will be on recent advances in development and characterization of polymeric biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Up-to-date reviews, original research papers, and communications are all welcome.

Dr. Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru
Dr. Ionela Cristina Nica
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 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

  • tissue engineering
  • biomaterials
  • scaffolds
  • polymers
  • biocompatibility

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1786 KiB  
Article
A Poly-D-lysine-Coated Coralline Matrix Promotes Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells’ Differentiation into GFAP-Positive Astrocytes
by Roni Mina Hendler, Orly Eva Weiss, Tzachy Morad, Guy Sion, Michael Kirby, Zvy Dubinsky, Ayan Barbora, Refael Minnes and Danny Baranes
Polymers 2023, 15(20), 4054; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15204054 - 11 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1459
Abstract
A major goal of regenerative medicine of the central nervous system is to accelerate the regeneration of nerve tissue, where astrocytes, despite their positive and negative roles, play a critical role. Thus, scaffolds capable of producing astrocytes from neural precursor cells (NPCs) are [...] Read more.
A major goal of regenerative medicine of the central nervous system is to accelerate the regeneration of nerve tissue, where astrocytes, despite their positive and negative roles, play a critical role. Thus, scaffolds capable of producing astrocytes from neural precursor cells (NPCs) are most desirable. Our study shows that NPCs are converted into reactive astrocytes upon cultivation on coralline-derived calcium carbonate coated with poly-D-lysine (PDL-CS). As shown via nuclei staining, the adhesion of neurospheres containing hundreds of hippocampal neural cells to PDL-CS resulted in disaggregation of the cell cluster as well as the radial migration of dozens of cells away from the neurosphere core. Migrating cells per neurosphere averaged 100 on PDL-CS, significantly higher than on uncoated CS (28), PDL-coated glass (65), or uncoated glass (20). After 3 days of culture on PDL-CS, cell migration plateaued and remained stable for four more days. In addition, NPCs expressing nestin underwent continuous morphological changes from round to spiky, extending and elongating their processes, resembling activated astrocytes. The extension of the process increased continuously during the maturation of the culture and doubled after 7 days compared to day 1, whereas bifurcation increased by twofold during the first 3 days before plateauing. In addition, nestin positive cells’ shape, measured through the opposite circularity level correlation, decreased approximately twofold after three days, indicating spiky transformation. Moreover, nestin-positive cells co-expressing GFAP increased by 2.2 from day 1 to 7, reaching 40% of the NPC population on day 7. In this way, PDL-CS promotes NPC differentiation into reactive astrocytes, which could accelerate the repair of neural tissue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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12 pages, 2143 KiB  
Article
Bone Sialoprotein Immobilized in Collagen Type I Enhances Angiogenesis In Vitro and In Ovo
by Anja Kriegel, Eva Langendorf, Valentina Kottmann, Peer W. Kämmerer, Franz Paul Armbruster, Nadine Wiesmann-Imilowski, Andreas Baranowski, Erol Gercek, Philipp Drees, Pol Maria Rommens and Ulrike Ritz
Polymers 2023, 15(4), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15041007 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1728
Abstract
Bone fracture healing is a multistep process, including early immunological reactions, osteogenesis, and as a key factor, angiogenesis. Molecules inducing osteogenesis as well as angiogenesis are rare, but hold promise to be employed in bone tissue engineering. It has been demonstrated that the [...] Read more.
Bone fracture healing is a multistep process, including early immunological reactions, osteogenesis, and as a key factor, angiogenesis. Molecules inducing osteogenesis as well as angiogenesis are rare, but hold promise to be employed in bone tissue engineering. It has been demonstrated that the bone sialoprotein (BSP) can induce bone formation when immobilized in collagen type I, but its effect on angiogenesis still has to be characterized in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the effects of BSP immobilized in a collagen type I gel on angiogenesis. First, in vitro analyses with endothelial cells (HUVECs) were performed detecting enhancing effects of BSP on proliferation and gene expression of endothelial markers. A spheroid model was employed confirming these results. Finally, the inducing impact of BSP-collagen on vascular density was proved in a yolk sac membrane assay. Our results demonstrate that BSP is capable of inducing angiogenesis and confirm that collagen type I is the optimal carrier for this protein. Taking into account former results, and literature showing that BSP also induces osteogenesis, one can hypothesize that BSP couples angiogenesis and osteogenesis, making it a promising molecule to be used in bone tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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16 pages, 2343 KiB  
Article
Cytocompatibility and Antibacterial Properties of Coaxial Electrospun Nanofibers Containing Ciprofloxacin and Indomethacin Drugs
by Shahla Khalili, Nazanin Ghane, Saied Nouri Khorasani, Fariba Heydari, Arjan Atwal and Pooya Davoodi
Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2565; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132565 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2093
Abstract
A coaxial nanofibrous scaffold of poly (ε-caprolactone) and gelatin/cellulose acetate encapsulating anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs was co-electrospun for skin tissue regeneration. Indomethacin and ciprofloxacin as model drugs were added to the core and the shell solutions, respectively. The effect of the drugs’ presence [...] Read more.
A coaxial nanofibrous scaffold of poly (ε-caprolactone) and gelatin/cellulose acetate encapsulating anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs was co-electrospun for skin tissue regeneration. Indomethacin and ciprofloxacin as model drugs were added to the core and the shell solutions, respectively. The effect of the drugs’ presence and crosslinking on the scaffold properties was investigated. TEM images confirmed the core–shell structure of the scaffold. The fiber diameter and the pore size of the scaffold increased after crosslinking. The tensile properties of the scaffold improved after crosslinking. The crosslinked scaffold illustrated a higher rate of swelling, and a lower rate of degradation and drug release compared to the uncrosslinked one. Fitting the release data into the Peppas equation showed that Fickian diffusion was the dominant mechanism of drug release from the scaffolds. The results of biocompatibility evaluations showed no cytotoxicity and suitable adhesion and cell growth on the prepared core–shell structure. The antibacterial activity of the scaffolds was studied against one of the most common pathogens in skin wounds, where the existence of ciprofloxacin could prevent the growth of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria around the scaffold. The obtained results suggested a new coaxial nanofibrous scaffold as a promising candidate for simultaneous tissue regeneration and controlled drug release. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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25 pages, 5900 KiB  
Article
Crosslinked Collagenic Scaffold Behavior Evaluation by Physico-Chemical, Mechanical and Biological Assessments in an In Vitro Microenvironment
by Bianca-Maria Tihăuan, Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Mădălina Axinie (Bucos), Ioana Cristina Marinaș, Anca-Cecilia Nicoară, Luminița Măruțescu, Ovidiu Oprea, Elena Matei and Stelian Sergiu Maier
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2430; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122430 - 15 Jun 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2482
Abstract
Wound healing-associated difficulties continue to drive biotechnological creativeness into complex grounds. The sophisticated architecture of skin wound sites and the intricate processes involved in the response to the use of regenerative devices play a critical role in successful skin regeneration approaches and their [...] Read more.
Wound healing-associated difficulties continue to drive biotechnological creativeness into complex grounds. The sophisticated architecture of skin wound sites and the intricate processes involved in the response to the use of regenerative devices play a critical role in successful skin regeneration approaches and their possible outcomes. Due to a plethora of complications involved in wound healing processes as well as the coordination of various cellular mechanisms, biomimetic approaches seems to be the most promising starting ground. This study evaluates the behavior of a crosslinked, porous collagen scaffold obtained by lyophilization and dehydrothermal reticulation (DHT). We address the key physio-chemical and mechanical factors, such as swelling, density and porosity, mechano-dynamic properties, SEM and TG-DSC, as well as important biological outcomes regarding scaffold biocompatibility and cellular metabolic activity, cytokine expression in inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis, as well as hemocompatibility and biodegradation. The mechanical and visco-elastic behavior are correlated, with the samples found to present similar thermal behavior and increased rigidity after DHT treatment. High biocompatibility rates were obtained, with no inflammatory stimulation and a reduction in necrotic cells. Higher percentages of cellular early apoptosis were observed. The hemocompatibility rate was under 2%, coagulation effects expressed after 4 min, and the DHT scaffold was more resistant to the biodegradation of collagenase compared with the untreated sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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18 pages, 4609 KiB  
Article
Histomorphometric Analysis of Differential Regional Bone Regeneration Induced by Distinct Doped Membranes
by Manuel Toledano, Cristina Vallecillo, Aida Gutierrez-Corrales, Daniel Torres-Lagares, Manuel Toledano-Osorio and María-Angeles Serrera-Figallo
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14102078 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1652
Abstract
Our objective is to evaluate the regional regenerative potential of calvarial bone in critical-sized defects in a rabbit model using novel nanostructured silica-loaded membranes doped with zinc or doxycycline. Nanostructured membranes of (MMA)1-co-(HEMA)1/(MA)3-co-(HEA)2 loaded with 5 [...] Read more.
Our objective is to evaluate the regional regenerative potential of calvarial bone in critical-sized defects in a rabbit model using novel nanostructured silica-loaded membranes doped with zinc or doxycycline. Nanostructured membranes of (MMA)1-co-(HEMA)1/(MA)3-co-(HEA)2 loaded with 5 wt% of SiO2 nanoparticles (HOOC-Si-Membranes) were doped with zinc (Zn-HOOC-Si-Membrane) or doxycycline (Dox-HOOC-Si-Membrane). Critical bone defects were created on six New-Zealand-breed rabbit skulls and covered with the membranes. A sham defect without a membrane was used as the control. After six weeks, a histological analysis (toluidine blue technique) was employed to determine the area percentages of newly formed bone, osteoid bone, and soft tissue. The measurements were performed by dividing the total defect area into top (close to the membrane) and bottom (close to the dura mater) regions, or peripheral (adjacent to the old bone) and central (the sum of the remaining zones) regions. The peripheral regions of the defects showed higher osteogenic capacity than the central areas when the membranes were present. The proportion of new bone adjacent to the dura was similar to that adjacent to the membrane only when the HOOC-Si-Membranes and Zn-HOOC-Si-Membranes were used, indicating a direct osteoinductive effect of the membranes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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Graphical abstract

19 pages, 2401 KiB  
Article
Aspects of In Vitro Biodegradation of Hybrid Fibrin–Collagen Scaffolds
by Marfa N. Egorikhina, Irina I. Bronnikova, Yulia P. Rubtsova, Irina N. Charykova, Marina L. Bugrova, Daria D. Linkova and Diana Ya. Aleynik
Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3470; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13203470 - 10 Oct 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2382
Abstract
The success of the regenerative process resulting from the implantation of a scaffold or a tissue-engineered structure into damaged tissues depends on a series of factors, including, crucially, the biodegradability of the implanted materials. The selection of a scaffold with appropriate biodegradation characteristics [...] Read more.
The success of the regenerative process resulting from the implantation of a scaffold or a tissue-engineered structure into damaged tissues depends on a series of factors, including, crucially, the biodegradability of the implanted materials. The selection of a scaffold with appropriate biodegradation characteristics allows for synchronization of the degradation of the construct with the processes involved in new tissue formation. Thus, it is extremely important to characterize the biodegradation properties of potential scaffold materials at the stage of in vitro studies. We have analyzed the biodegradation of hybrid fibrin–collagen scaffolds in both PBS solution and in trypsin solution and this has enabled us to describe the processes of both their passive and enzymatic degradation. It was found that the specific origin of the collagen used to form part of the hybrid scaffolds could have a significant effect on the nature of the biodegradation process. It was also established, during comparative studies of acellular scaffolds and scaffolds containing stem cells, that the cells, too, make a significant contribution to changes in the biodegradation and structural properties of such scaffolds. The study results also provided evidence indicating the dependency between the pre-cultivation period for the cellular scaffolds and the speed and extent of their subsequent biodegradation. Our discussion of results includes an attempt to explain the mechanisms of the changes found. We hope that the said results will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the processes affecting the differences in the biodegradation properties of hybrid, biopolymer, and hydrogel scaffolds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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18 pages, 3837 KiB  
Article
Chitosan-Based Accelerated Portland Cement Promotes Dentinogenic/Osteogenic Differentiation and Mineralization Activity of SHED
by Hasan Subhi, Adam Husein, Dasmawati Mohamad, Nik Rozainah Nik Abdul Ghani and Asma-Abdullah Nurul
Polymers 2021, 13(19), 3358; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193358 - 30 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2561
Abstract
Calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) are widely used in various endodontic treatments to promote wound healing and hard tissue formation. Chitosan-based accelerated Portland cement (APC-CT) is a promising and affordable material for endodontic use. This study investigated the effect of APC-CT on apoptosis, cell [...] Read more.
Calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) are widely used in various endodontic treatments to promote wound healing and hard tissue formation. Chitosan-based accelerated Portland cement (APC-CT) is a promising and affordable material for endodontic use. This study investigated the effect of APC-CT on apoptosis, cell attachment, dentinogenic/osteogenic differentiation and mineralization activity of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). APC-CT was prepared with various concentrations of chitosan (CT) solution (0%, 0.625%, 1.25% and 2.5% (w/v)). Cell attachment was determined by direct contact analysis using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM); while the material extracts were used for the analyses of apoptosis by flow cytometry, dentinogenic/osteogenic marker expression by real-time PCR and mineralization activity by Alizarin Red and Von Kossa staining. The cells effectively attached to the surfaces of APC and APC-CT, acquiring flattened elongated and rounded-shape morphology. Treatment of SHED with APC and APC-CT extracts showed no apoptotic effect. APC-CT induced upregulation of DSPP, MEPE, DMP-1, OPN, OCN, OPG and RANKL expression levels in SHED after 14 days, whereas RUNX2, ALP and COL1A1 expression levels were downregulated. Mineralization assays showed a progressive increase in the formation of calcium deposits in cells with material containing higher CT concentration and with incubation time. In conclusion, APC-CT is nontoxic and promotes dentinogenic/osteogenic differentiation and mineralization activity of SHED, indicating its regenerative potential as a promising substitute for the commercially available CSCs to induce dentin/bone regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials and Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering)
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