Influence of MMP inhibitor GM6001 loading of fibre coated polypropylene meshes on wound healing: Implications for hernia repair.

Polypropylene meshes are standard for hernia repair. Matrix metalloproteinases play a central role in inflammation. To reduce the inflammatory response and improve remodelling with an associated reduction of hernia recurrence, we modified polypropylene meshes by nanofibre coating and saturation with the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001.

Isotropic Versus Bipolar Functionalized Biomimetic Artificial Basement Membranes and Their Evaluation in Long-Term Human Cell Co-Culture.

In addition to dividing tissues into compartments, basement membranes are crucial as cell substrates and to regulate cellular behavior. The development of artificial basement membranes is indispensable for the ultimate formation of functional engineered tissues; however, pose a challenge due to their complex structure. Herein, biodegradable electrospun polyester meshes are presented, exhibiting isotropic or bipolar bioactivation as a biomimetic and biofunctional model of the natural basement membrane.

Polymeric electrospun scaffolds: neuregulin encapsulation and biocompatibility studies in a model of myocardial ischemia.

Cardiovascular disease represents one of the major health challenges in modern times and is the number one cause of death globally. Thus, numerous studies are under way to identify effective cell- and/or growth factor (GF)-based therapies for repairing damaged cardiac tissue. In this regard, improving the engraftment or survival of regenerative cells and prolonging GF exposure have become fundamental goals in advancing these therapeutic approaches.

Hydrogel-fibre composites with independent control over cell adhesion to gel and fibres as an integral approach towards a biomimetic artificial ECM.

In the body, cells are surrounded by an interconnected mesh of insoluble, bioactive protein fibres to which they adhere in a well-controlled manner, embedded in a hydrogel-like highly hydrated matrix. True morphological and biochemical mimicry of this so-called extracellular matrix (ECM) remains a challenge but appears decisive for a successful design of biomimetic three-dimensional in vitro cell culture systems. Herein, an approach is presented which describes the fabrication and in vitro assessment of an artificial ECM which contains two major components, i.

The role of substrate morphology for the cytokine release profile of immature human primary macrophages.

There is increasing evidence that the physicochemical nature of any given material is a dominant factor for the release of cytokines by innate immune cells, specifically of macrophages, and thus majorly influences their interaction with other cell types. Recently, we could show that the 3D structure of star shaped polytheylene oxide-polypropylene oxide co-polymers (sP(EO-stat-PO))-hydrogel coated substrates has a stronger influence on the release pattern of cytokines after 7 days of culture than surface chemistry. Here, we focused on the analysis of cytokine release over time and a more detailed analysis of cell morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Inducing healing-like human primary macrophage phenotypes by 3D hydrogel coated nanofibres.

Immune cells are present in the blood and in resident tissues, and the nature of their reaction towards biomaterials is decisive for materials success or failure. Macrophages may for example be classically activated to trigger inflammation (M1), or alternatively activated which supports healing and vascularisation (M2). Here, we have generated 3D nanofibrous meshes in different porosities and precisely controlled surface chemistries comprising PLGA, hydrogel-coated protein repellant and protein repellant endowed with the bioactive peptide sequences GRGDS or GLF.

Biocompatibility of PLGA/sP(EO-stat-PO)-coated mesh surfaces under constant shearing stress.

Background: In order to allow inflammatory response modification and ultimately improvement in tissue remodeling, we developed a new surface modification for meshes that will serve as a carrier for other substances. Biocompatibility is tested in an animal model.

Methods: The animal model for diaphragmatic hernia repair was established in prior studies.

Degradable polyester scaffolds with controlled surface chemistry combining minimal protein adsorption with specific bioactivation.

Advanced biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering place high demands on materials and exceed the passive biocompatibility requirements previously considered acceptable for biomedical implants. Together with degradability, the activation of specific cell–material interactions and a three-dimensional environment that mimics the extracellular matrix are core challenges and prerequisites for the organization of living cells to functional tissue. Moreover, although bioactive signalling combined with minimization of non-specific protein adsorption is an advanced modification technique for flat surfaces, it is usually not accomplished for three-dimensional fibrous scaffolds used in tissue engineering.

Electrospun, biofunctionalized fibers as tailored in vitro substrates for keratinocyte cell culture.

Cell adhesion preventing fiber surfaces were tailored differently with bioactive peptides (a fibronectin fragment (GRGDS), a collagen IV fragment (GEFYFDLRLKGDK) and a combination of both) to provide an artificial extracellular matrix as a substrate for HaCaT keratinocyte cell culture. Therefore, a polymer blend containing a six-arm star-shaped statistical copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in the ratio 80:20 (NCO-sP[EO-co-PO]) and poly-[D,L-(lactide-co-glycolide)] (PLGA) was electrospun. The resulting fibers were biofunctionalized and investigated as in vitro substrates using the HaCaT kerationcyte cell line.