Electrospun Nanofibers as Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds have the potential to interact and regulate specific regenerative events at molecular level to restore the damaged tissues. Nanofibers can be fabricated using various techniques like electrospinning, phase separation, self–assembly, etc. Electrospinning is the most widely employed method to fabricate nanofibers for applications in tissue engineering. The electrospun ultrafine fibers can be tuned to exhibit desired pore distribution, high surface area–to–volume ratio, cell adhesion and proliferation due to their structural resemblance to the native extracellular matrix. Electrospun polymeric nanofibers possess various advantages as skin substitutes because they can prevent fluid and proteins loss from the wound area, help in the removal of exudates, inhibit microbial infection, exhibit excellent anti–adhesion properties and guide endogenous cells to proliferate and remodel. Nanofibrous scaffolds are currently being fabricated in combination with growth factors and / or cells to accelerate orchestrated wound healing. The use of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for skin tissue engineering is detailed in this review. Further, recent advances in fabricating biocomposite nanofibrous scaffolds, electrospinning-coupled electrospraying of cells and stem cells for skin tissue engineering are also highlighted.