Abstract
The biofabrication of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is a field in continuous expansion. Of particular interest, nanofibrous scaffolds can mimic the mechanical and structural properties (e.g., collagen fibers) of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and have shown high potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This review presents a general overview on nanofiber fabrication, with a specific focus on the design and application of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for vascular regeneration. The main nanofiber fabrication approaches, including self-assembly, thermally induced phase separation, and electrospinning are described. We also address nanofibrous scaffold design, including nanofiber structuring and surface functionalization, to improve scaffolds’ properties. Scaffolds for vascular regeneration with enhanced functional properties, given by providing cells with structural or bioactive cues, are discussed. Finally, current in vivo evaluation strategies of these nanofibrous scaffolds are introduced as the final step, before their potential application in clinical vascular tissue engineering can be further assessed.
Highlights
Tissue engineering, which combines the principles and methods of the life sciences with those of engineering to create tissue replacements to direct tissue regeneration, has attracted many researchers with the hope of regenerating a patient’s own tissues and organs without the need for tissue/organ transplantation [1,2]
Some successful products to aid in tissue regeneration are already available in the clinic, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) sheets developed for vessel coverage during anterior vertebral surgery [14], collagen sponges with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) commonly used as void fillers for bone regeneration [15], and the use of limbal stem cells for corneal injury repair [16]
The major advantage of electrospun scaffolds is the high porosity and small structural features mimicking the physical dimensions of extracellular matrix (ECM) [72]
Summary
Tissue engineering, which combines the principles and methods of the life sciences with those of engineering to create tissue replacements to direct tissue regeneration, has attracted many researchers with the hope of regenerating a patient’s own tissues and organs without the need for tissue/organ transplantation [1,2]. The most classical tissue engineering approach consists of cell seeding on a scaffold, followed by cell proliferation, differentiation (if the starting cells are stem cells), and tissue formation through extracellular matrix synthesis. Some successful products to aid in tissue regeneration are already available in the clinic, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) sheets developed for vessel coverage during anterior vertebral surgery [14], collagen sponges with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) commonly used as void fillers for bone regeneration [15], and the use of limbal stem cells for corneal injury repair [16]. Used as void fillers for bone regeneration [15], and the use of limbal stem cells for corneal injury repair. Integration of the engineered tissues into the host system for fully functional regeneration [17,18].
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