6 - Multilayered scaffolds for interface tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Interface tissue engineering (ITE) deals with the fabrication of complex graded scaffolds for the regeneration of injured areas at the interface of different tissues. During the scaffold design process the focus is oriented to the replication of the native healthy tissues' complexity. This complexity could be achieved by introducing in the scaffolds gradients of morphology, composition' and function. In the present book chapter an overview of the multilayered scaffolds fabricated for ITE applications is reported. The versatility of the electrospinning technique for the development of gradient scaffolds and its suitability to be integrated with other scaffold fabrication techniques allowed the development of complex constructs with promising results in terms of cells' response. Examples of applications in the orthopedic field and for skin regeneration are also reported.