Chapter 7 - Applications of Nanofibers in Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that provides substitute methods for repairing damaged tissues by implanting natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic implants, which mimic fully functional tissues and organs. Today, remunerating nonfunctional tissue into functional forms is the biggest challenges in the field of tissue engineering. Academics, scientists, and tissue engineers from various fields have accepted these challenges and fabricated the artificial extracellular matrix known as a scaffold using biomaterials. These scaffolds mimic a native extracellular matrix, which contains proteins such as laminin and fibronectin, at nanoscale providing specific binding sites for the adhesion of cells on the scaffolds and regulating important cell behaviors, such as cell growth, shape, migration, and differentiation. Currently, there are three important methods available for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds, phase separation, electrospinning, and self-assembly. Among these methods, electrospinning is the most widely used technique for tissue engineering applications. The synthesis of nanofibrous scaffolds by the electrospinning process can be achieved using a variety of natural and synthetic biomaterials. The development of 3D biodegradable scaffolds provides excellent support for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Therefore, electrospun scaffolds are used for such distinct tissue engineering as epidermal, vascular, neural, musculoskeletal (including bone, cartilage, ligament, and skeletal muscle), and corneal applications. This chapter discusses the extensive applications of electrospun nanofibers in tissue engineering.