The Experts below are selected from a list of 294 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Seeram Ramakrishna - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • interaction of schwann cells with laminin encapsulated plcl core shell nanofibers for Nerve Tissue engineering
    European Polymer Journal, 2014
    Co-Authors: Wojciech Swieszkowski, Ewa Kijenska, Krzysztof J. Kurzydlowski, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Abstract Nerve Tissue engineering (TE) is a rapidly expanding area of research advancing towards the repair and regeneration of non-union peripheral Nerve defects caused by injuries. The current challenge for researchers is to develop a biomimetic scaffold that is capable of stimulating the re-growth of the native Tissue, thus structurally mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing chemical guidance cues and mechanical support for re-enervation of the damaged region. Laminin is a glycoprotein naturally occurring in Nerves and it plays a significant role towards the migration of Nerve cells and axonal outgrowth. In this study, laminin incorporated scaffolds were produced by co-axial electrospinning and blend electrospinning techniques, in order to develop suitable biomaterial constructs for peripheral Nerve Tissue regeneration. Core–shell and blend nanofibers of laminin incorporated poly( L -lactic acid)-co-poly(e-caprolactone) (PLCL) with diameters of 316 ± 110 nm and 350 ± 112 nm were respectively, fabricated and the morphology, surface hydrophilicity, chemical and mechanical properties were investigated. The ability of attachment and proliferation of Schwann cells on the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated by cell proliferation assay and their phenotype was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining using specific S100 antibody. The cells were found to attach and proliferate on core–shell PLCL–laminin scaffolds, expressing bi- and tri-polar elongations retaining their typical phenotype. Results of 7 days of in vitro culture of Schwann cells, showed 78% increase in cell proliferation on core–shell structured nanofibers compared to blend PLCL–laminin scaffolds, which confirmed the potential application of these constructs as substrates for peripheral Nerve regeneration.

  • Interaction of Schwann cells with laminin encapsulated PLCL core–shell nanofibers for Nerve Tissue engineering
    European Polymer Journal, 2013
    Co-Authors: Ewa Kijeńska, Wojciech Swieszkowski, Krzysztof Jan Kurzydłowski, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Abstract Nerve Tissue engineering (TE) is a rapidly expanding area of research advancing towards the repair and regeneration of non-union peripheral Nerve defects caused by injuries. The current challenge for researchers is to develop a biomimetic scaffold that is capable of stimulating the re-growth of the native Tissue, thus structurally mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing chemical guidance cues and mechanical support for re-enervation of the damaged region. Laminin is a glycoprotein naturally occurring in Nerves and it plays a significant role towards the migration of Nerve cells and axonal outgrowth. In this study, laminin incorporated scaffolds were produced by co-axial electrospinning and blend electrospinning techniques, in order to develop suitable biomaterial constructs for peripheral Nerve Tissue regeneration. Core–shell and blend nanofibers of laminin incorporated poly( L -lactic acid)-co-poly(e-caprolactone) (PLCL) with diameters of 316 ± 110 nm and 350 ± 112 nm were respectively, fabricated and the morphology, surface hydrophilicity, chemical and mechanical properties were investigated. The ability of attachment and proliferation of Schwann cells on the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated by cell proliferation assay and their phenotype was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining using specific S100 antibody. The cells were found to attach and proliferate on core–shell PLCL–laminin scaffolds, expressing bi- and tri-polar elongations retaining their typical phenotype. Results of 7 days of in vitro culture of Schwann cells, showed 78% increase in cell proliferation on core–shell structured nanofibers compared to blend PLCL–laminin scaffolds, which confirmed the potential application of these constructs as substrates for peripheral Nerve regeneration.

  • electrospun aligned phbv collagen nanofibers as substrates for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013
    Co-Authors: Molamma P Prabhakaran, Elham Vatankhah, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Nerve regeneration following the injury of Nerve Tissue remains a major issue in the therapeutic medical field. Various bio-mimetic strategies are employed to direct the Nerve growth in vitro, among which the chemical and topographical cues elicited by the scaffolds are crucial parameters that is primarily responsible for the axon growth and neurite extension involved in Nerve regeneration. We carried out electrospinning for the first time, to fabricate both random and aligned nanofibers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate; PHBV) and composite PHBV/collagen nanofibers with fiber diameters in the range of 386-472 nm and 205-266 nm, respectively. To evaluate the potential of electrospun aligned nanofibers of PHBV and composite scaffolds as a substrate for Nerve regeneration, we cultured Nerve cells (PC12) and studied the biocompatibility effect along with neurite extension by immunostaining studies. Cell proliferation assays showed 40.01% and 5.48% higher proliferation of Nerve cells on aligned PHBV/Coll50:50 nanofibers compared to cell proliferation on aligned PHBV and PHBV/Col75:25 nanofibers, respectively. Aligned nanofibers of PHBV/Coll provided contact guidance to direct the orientation of Nerve cells along the direction of the fibers, thus endowing elongated cell morphology, with bi-polar neurite extensions required for Nerve regeneration. Results showed that aligned PHBV/Col nanofibers are promising substrates than the random PHBV/Col nanofibers for application as bioengineered grafts for Nerve Tissue regeneration.

  • Electrospun aligned PHBV/collagen nanofibers as substrates for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013
    Co-Authors: Molamma P Prabhakaran, Elham Vatankhah, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    : Nerve regeneration following the injury of Nerve Tissue remains a major issue in the therapeutic medical field. Various bio-mimetic strategies are employed to direct the Nerve growth in vitro, among which the chemical and topographical cues elicited by the scaffolds are crucial parameters that is primarily responsible for the axon growth and neurite extension involved in Nerve regeneration. We carried out electrospinning for the first time, to fabricate both random and aligned nanofibers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate; PHBV) and composite PHBV/collagen nanofibers with fiber diameters in the range of 386-472 nm and 205-266 nm, respectively. To evaluate the potential of electrospun aligned nanofibers of PHBV and composite scaffolds as a substrate for Nerve regeneration, we cultured Nerve cells (PC12) and studied the biocompatibility effect along with neurite extension by immunostaining studies. Cell proliferation assays showed 40.01% and 5.48% higher proliferation of Nerve cells on aligned PHBV/Coll50:50 nanofibers compared to cell proliferation on aligned PHBV and PHBV/Col75:25 nanofibers, respectively. Aligned nanofibers of PHBV/Coll provided contact guidance to direct the orientation of Nerve cells along the direction of the fibers, thus endowing elongated cell morphology, with bi-polar neurite extensions required for Nerve regeneration. Results showed that aligned PHBV/Col nanofibers are promising substrates than the random PHBV/Col nanofibers for application as bioengineered grafts for Nerve Tissue regeneration.

  • application of conductive polymers scaffolds and electrical stimulation for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2011
    Co-Authors: Laleh Ghasemimobarakeh, Sahar Kiani, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Hossein Baharvand, Mohammad Hossein Nasresfahani, Salem S Aldeyab, Seeram Ramakrishna, Mohammad Morshed
    Abstract:

    Among the numerous attempts to integrate Tissue engineering concepts into strategies to repair nearly all parts of the body, neuronal repair stands out. This is partially due to the complexity of the nervous anatomical system, its functioning and the inefficiency of conventional repair approaches, which are based on single components of either biomaterials or cells alone. Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance the Nerve regeneration process and this consequently makes the use of electrically conductive polymers very attractive for the construction of scaffolds for Nerve Tissue engineering. In this review, by taking into consideration the electrical properties of Nerve cells and the effect of electrical stimulation on Nerve cells, we discuss the most commonly utilized conductive polymers, polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANI), along with their design and modifications, thus making them suitable scaffolds for Nerve Tissue engineering. Other electrospun, composite, conductive scaffolds, such as PANI/gelatin and PPy/poly(e-caprolactone), with or without electrical stimulation, are also discussed. Different procedures of electrical stimulation which have been used in Tissue engineering, with examples on their specific applications in Tissue engineering, are also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Xiufang Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Mingzhi Yu, Lijun Kong, Qiang Ao, Yandao Gong, Q. He, Ling Zhang, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially inter- connected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and control- lability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined archi- tectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 79A: 36 - 46, 2006

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Lijun Kong, Yandao Gong, Ling Zhang, Wenling Cao, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially interconnected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and controllability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined architectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering.

Molamma P Prabhakaran - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • interaction of schwann cells with laminin encapsulated plcl core shell nanofibers for Nerve Tissue engineering
    European Polymer Journal, 2014
    Co-Authors: Wojciech Swieszkowski, Ewa Kijenska, Krzysztof J. Kurzydlowski, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Abstract Nerve Tissue engineering (TE) is a rapidly expanding area of research advancing towards the repair and regeneration of non-union peripheral Nerve defects caused by injuries. The current challenge for researchers is to develop a biomimetic scaffold that is capable of stimulating the re-growth of the native Tissue, thus structurally mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing chemical guidance cues and mechanical support for re-enervation of the damaged region. Laminin is a glycoprotein naturally occurring in Nerves and it plays a significant role towards the migration of Nerve cells and axonal outgrowth. In this study, laminin incorporated scaffolds were produced by co-axial electrospinning and blend electrospinning techniques, in order to develop suitable biomaterial constructs for peripheral Nerve Tissue regeneration. Core–shell and blend nanofibers of laminin incorporated poly( L -lactic acid)-co-poly(e-caprolactone) (PLCL) with diameters of 316 ± 110 nm and 350 ± 112 nm were respectively, fabricated and the morphology, surface hydrophilicity, chemical and mechanical properties were investigated. The ability of attachment and proliferation of Schwann cells on the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated by cell proliferation assay and their phenotype was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining using specific S100 antibody. The cells were found to attach and proliferate on core–shell PLCL–laminin scaffolds, expressing bi- and tri-polar elongations retaining their typical phenotype. Results of 7 days of in vitro culture of Schwann cells, showed 78% increase in cell proliferation on core–shell structured nanofibers compared to blend PLCL–laminin scaffolds, which confirmed the potential application of these constructs as substrates for peripheral Nerve regeneration.

  • Interaction of Schwann cells with laminin encapsulated PLCL core–shell nanofibers for Nerve Tissue engineering
    European Polymer Journal, 2013
    Co-Authors: Ewa Kijeńska, Wojciech Swieszkowski, Krzysztof Jan Kurzydłowski, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Abstract Nerve Tissue engineering (TE) is a rapidly expanding area of research advancing towards the repair and regeneration of non-union peripheral Nerve defects caused by injuries. The current challenge for researchers is to develop a biomimetic scaffold that is capable of stimulating the re-growth of the native Tissue, thus structurally mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing chemical guidance cues and mechanical support for re-enervation of the damaged region. Laminin is a glycoprotein naturally occurring in Nerves and it plays a significant role towards the migration of Nerve cells and axonal outgrowth. In this study, laminin incorporated scaffolds were produced by co-axial electrospinning and blend electrospinning techniques, in order to develop suitable biomaterial constructs for peripheral Nerve Tissue regeneration. Core–shell and blend nanofibers of laminin incorporated poly( L -lactic acid)-co-poly(e-caprolactone) (PLCL) with diameters of 316 ± 110 nm and 350 ± 112 nm were respectively, fabricated and the morphology, surface hydrophilicity, chemical and mechanical properties were investigated. The ability of attachment and proliferation of Schwann cells on the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated by cell proliferation assay and their phenotype was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining using specific S100 antibody. The cells were found to attach and proliferate on core–shell PLCL–laminin scaffolds, expressing bi- and tri-polar elongations retaining their typical phenotype. Results of 7 days of in vitro culture of Schwann cells, showed 78% increase in cell proliferation on core–shell structured nanofibers compared to blend PLCL–laminin scaffolds, which confirmed the potential application of these constructs as substrates for peripheral Nerve regeneration.

  • electrospun aligned phbv collagen nanofibers as substrates for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013
    Co-Authors: Molamma P Prabhakaran, Elham Vatankhah, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    Nerve regeneration following the injury of Nerve Tissue remains a major issue in the therapeutic medical field. Various bio-mimetic strategies are employed to direct the Nerve growth in vitro, among which the chemical and topographical cues elicited by the scaffolds are crucial parameters that is primarily responsible for the axon growth and neurite extension involved in Nerve regeneration. We carried out electrospinning for the first time, to fabricate both random and aligned nanofibers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate; PHBV) and composite PHBV/collagen nanofibers with fiber diameters in the range of 386-472 nm and 205-266 nm, respectively. To evaluate the potential of electrospun aligned nanofibers of PHBV and composite scaffolds as a substrate for Nerve regeneration, we cultured Nerve cells (PC12) and studied the biocompatibility effect along with neurite extension by immunostaining studies. Cell proliferation assays showed 40.01% and 5.48% higher proliferation of Nerve cells on aligned PHBV/Coll50:50 nanofibers compared to cell proliferation on aligned PHBV and PHBV/Col75:25 nanofibers, respectively. Aligned nanofibers of PHBV/Coll provided contact guidance to direct the orientation of Nerve cells along the direction of the fibers, thus endowing elongated cell morphology, with bi-polar neurite extensions required for Nerve regeneration. Results showed that aligned PHBV/Col nanofibers are promising substrates than the random PHBV/Col nanofibers for application as bioengineered grafts for Nerve Tissue regeneration.

  • Electrospun aligned PHBV/collagen nanofibers as substrates for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2013
    Co-Authors: Molamma P Prabhakaran, Elham Vatankhah, Seeram Ramakrishna
    Abstract:

    : Nerve regeneration following the injury of Nerve Tissue remains a major issue in the therapeutic medical field. Various bio-mimetic strategies are employed to direct the Nerve growth in vitro, among which the chemical and topographical cues elicited by the scaffolds are crucial parameters that is primarily responsible for the axon growth and neurite extension involved in Nerve regeneration. We carried out electrospinning for the first time, to fabricate both random and aligned nanofibers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate; PHBV) and composite PHBV/collagen nanofibers with fiber diameters in the range of 386-472 nm and 205-266 nm, respectively. To evaluate the potential of electrospun aligned nanofibers of PHBV and composite scaffolds as a substrate for Nerve regeneration, we cultured Nerve cells (PC12) and studied the biocompatibility effect along with neurite extension by immunostaining studies. Cell proliferation assays showed 40.01% and 5.48% higher proliferation of Nerve cells on aligned PHBV/Coll50:50 nanofibers compared to cell proliferation on aligned PHBV and PHBV/Col75:25 nanofibers, respectively. Aligned nanofibers of PHBV/Coll provided contact guidance to direct the orientation of Nerve cells along the direction of the fibers, thus endowing elongated cell morphology, with bi-polar neurite extensions required for Nerve regeneration. Results showed that aligned PHBV/Col nanofibers are promising substrates than the random PHBV/Col nanofibers for application as bioengineered grafts for Nerve Tissue regeneration.

  • application of conductive polymers scaffolds and electrical stimulation for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2011
    Co-Authors: Laleh Ghasemimobarakeh, Sahar Kiani, Molamma P Prabhakaran, Hossein Baharvand, Mohammad Hossein Nasresfahani, Salem S Aldeyab, Seeram Ramakrishna, Mohammad Morshed
    Abstract:

    Among the numerous attempts to integrate Tissue engineering concepts into strategies to repair nearly all parts of the body, neuronal repair stands out. This is partially due to the complexity of the nervous anatomical system, its functioning and the inefficiency of conventional repair approaches, which are based on single components of either biomaterials or cells alone. Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance the Nerve regeneration process and this consequently makes the use of electrically conductive polymers very attractive for the construction of scaffolds for Nerve Tissue engineering. In this review, by taking into consideration the electrical properties of Nerve cells and the effect of electrical stimulation on Nerve cells, we discuss the most commonly utilized conductive polymers, polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANI), along with their design and modifications, thus making them suitable scaffolds for Nerve Tissue engineering. Other electrospun, composite, conductive scaffolds, such as PANI/gelatin and PPy/poly(e-caprolactone), with or without electrical stimulation, are also discussed. Different procedures of electrical stimulation which have been used in Tissue engineering, with examples on their specific applications in Tissue engineering, are also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aijun Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Mingzhi Yu, Lijun Kong, Qiang Ao, Yandao Gong, Q. He, Ling Zhang, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially inter- connected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and control- lability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined archi- tectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 79A: 36 - 46, 2006

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Lijun Kong, Yandao Gong, Ling Zhang, Wenling Cao, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially interconnected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and controllability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined architectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering.

Ling Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Mingzhi Yu, Lijun Kong, Qiang Ao, Yandao Gong, Q. He, Ling Zhang, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially inter- connected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and control- lability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined archi- tectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 79A: 36 - 46, 2006

  • porous chitosan tubular scaffolds with knitted outer wall and controllable inner structure for Nerve Tissue engineering
    Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2006
    Co-Authors: Aijun Wang, Lijun Kong, Yandao Gong, Ling Zhang, Wenling Cao, Xiufang Zhang
    Abstract:

    In this study, a novel method was developed to create porous tubular scaffolds with desirable mechanical properties and controllable inner structure from chitosan, for Nerve Tissue engineering. Chitosan fiber-based yarns were first used to create porous hollow tubes, which served as the outer wall of the scaffolds, through an industrial knitting process. Then, an innovative molding technique was developed and used to produce inner matrices with multiple axially oriented macrochannels and radially interconnected micropores. Acupuncture needles were used as mandrels during molding to improve the safety and controllability of the process. In vitro characterization demonstrated that the scaffolds possessed suitable mechanical strength, porosity, swelling, and biodegradability for applications in Nerve Tissue engineering. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that differentiated Neuro-2a cells grew along the oriented macrochannels and the interconnected micropores were beneficial for nutrient diffusion and cell ingrowth to the scaffold's interior. Collectively, the well-defined architectural features in addition to the desirable mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds make them promising for Nerve Tissue engineering.