A Comparative Study of Three Approaches to Fibre's Surface Functionalization.

Polyester-based scaffolds are of research interest for the regeneration of a wide spectrum of tissues. However, there is a need to improve scaffold wettability and introduce bioactivity. Surface modification is a widely studied approach for improving scaffold performance and maintaining appropriate bulk properties.

Immobilization of Gelatin on Fibers for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Comparative Study of Three Aliphatic Polyesters.

Immobilization of cell adhesive proteins on the scaffold surface has become a widely reported method that can improve the interaction between scaffold and cells. In this study, three nanofibrous scaffolds obtained by electrospinning of poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) 70:30, or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) were subjected to chemical immobilization of gelatin based on aminolysis and glutaraldehyde cross-linking, as well as physisorption of gelatin. Two sets of aminolysis conditions were applied to evaluate the impact of amine group content.

Effect of crystallinity and related surface properties on gene expression of primary fibroblasts.

The biomaterial-cells interface is one of the most fundamental issues in tissue regeneration. Despite many years of scientific work, there is no clear answer to what determines the desired adhesion of cells and the synthesis of ECM proteins. Crystallinity is a characteristic of the structure that influences the surface and bulk properties of semicrystalline polymers used in medicine.

Aminolysis as a surface functionalization method of aliphatic polyester nonwovens: impact on material properties and biological response.

It is reported in the literature that introducing amino groups on the surface improves cellular behaviour due to enhanced wettability and the presence of the positive charge. In this work, electrospun fibers were subjected to aminolysis under various conditions to investigate the impact of reaction parameters on the concentration of free NH groups, change of fiber properties, and the response of L929 cells. Three types of electrospun nonwovens obtained from poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(l-lactide--caprolactone) (PLCL) 70 : 30 and poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) were investigated.

Shortening of electrospun PLLA fibers by ultrasonication.

This research work is aimed at studying the effect of ultrasounds on the effectiveness of fiber fragmentation by taking into account the type of sonication medium, processing time, and various PLLA molecular weights. Fragmentation was followed by an appropriate filtration in order to decrease fibers length distribution. It was evidenced by fiber length determination using SEM that the fibers are shortened after ultrasonic treatment, and the effectiveness of shortening depends on the two out of three investigated parameters, mostly on the sonication medium, and processing time.

Poly(Glycerol Succinate) as an Eco-Friendly Component of PLLA and PLCL Fibres towards Medical Applications.

This study was conducted as a first step in obtaining eco-friendly fibres for medical applications using a synthesised oligomer poly(glycerol succinate) (PGSu) as an additive for synthetic poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL). The effects of the oligomer on the structure formation, morphology, crystallisation behaviour, and mechanical properties of electrospun bicomponent fibres were investigated. Nonwovens were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing.

Aminolysis of Various Aliphatic Polyesters in a Form of Nanofibers and Films.

Surface functionalization of polymer scaffolds is a method used to improve interactions of materials with cells. A frequently used method for polyesters is aminolysis reaction, which introduces free amine groups on the surface. In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds and films of three different polyesters-polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactide--caprolactone) (PLCL), and poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) were subjected to this type of surface modification under the same conditions.

Injectable hydrogels and nanocomposite hydrogels for cartilage regeneration.

Cartilage loss due to age-related degeneration and mechanical trauma is a significant and challenging problem in the field of surgical medicine. Unfortunately, cartilage tissue can be characterized by the lack of regenerative ability. Limitations of conventional treatment strategies, such as auto-, allo-, and xenografts or implants stimulate an increasing interest in the tissue engineering approach to cartilage repair.