A Controlled Design of Aligned and Random Nanofibers for 3D Bi-functionalized Nerve Conduits Fabricated via a Novel Electrospinning Set-up.

Jeong In Kim,Chan Hee Park,Cheol Sang Kim,Tae In Hwang,Ludwig Erik Aguilar

doi:10.1038/srep23761

Jeong In Kim, Chan Hee Park + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23761

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Mar 29, 2016
Citations: 163	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Jeonbuk National University, Wooridul Hospital

Abstract

Scaffolds made of aligned nanofibers are favorable for nerve regeneration due to their superior nerve cell attachment and proliferation. However, it is challenging not only to produce a neat mat or a conduit form with aligned nanofibers but also to use these for surgical applications as a nerve guide conduit due to their insufficient mechanical strength. Furthermore, no studies have been reported on the fabrication of aligned nanofibers and randomly-oriented nanofibers on the same mat. In this study, we have successfully produced a mat with both aligned and randomly-oriented nanofibers by using a novel electrospinning set up. A new conduit with a highly-aligned electrospun mat is produced with this modified electrospinning method, and this proposed conduit with favorable features, such as selective permeability, hydrophilicity and nerve growth directional steering, were fabricated as nerve guide conduits (NGCs). The inner surface of the nerve conduit is covered with highly aligned electrospun nanofibers and is able to enhance the proliferation of neural cells. The central part of the tube is double-coated with randomly-oriented nanofibers over the aligned nanofibers, strengthening the weak mechanical strength of the aligned nanofibers.

Highlights

In terms of tissue regeneration and cell response[12,13,14]
We have developed a method to fabricate highly-aligned electrospun nerve guide conduits (NGCs) with selective permeability using various materials including poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyurethane (PU)
The external side of the central part of the nerve conduit is coated with randomly-aligned nanofibers to increase its mechanical strength, and the internal side of the conduit is coated with growth factor-bearing aligned nanofibers for improved nerve regeneration[18,19]

Summary

Introduction

In terms of tissue regeneration and cell response[12,13,14]. In particular, nanofiber scaffolds with a high alignment exhibit remarkable advantages in terms of their mechanical properties and cell proliferation processes, such as cell orientation, migration, and differentiation. Highly-aligned nanofibers play a crucial role in neurite outgrowth of the neural cell when compared to randomly-distributed nanofibers[15,16]. Cell migration and the extracellular matrix deposition of the neural cells on the aligned nanofibers tend to stretch in a parallel direction along the alignment of the nanofibers[17,18,19]. The external side of the central part of the nerve conduit is coated with randomly-aligned nanofibers to increase its mechanical strength, and the internal side of the conduit is coated with growth factor-bearing aligned nanofibers for improved nerve regeneration[18,19]. An electrospun, aligned nanofibrous matrix has a transparency that is different from that of randomly-aligned a nanofiber matrix, and this property plays a vital role in follow-up close observation during nerve reconstructive surgery[6,20]

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Discussion

Conclusion