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Fiber templating of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) for neural tissue engineering
Lauren Flynn1, Paul D Dalton, Molly S Shoichet
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5S 3E5.
Biomaterials
|July 11, 2003
Summary
We created new hydrogel scaffolds with aligned channels to improve nerve regeneration. This method offers a reproducible way to guide nerve growth after injury.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neural Engineering
Background:
- Nerve regeneration after spinal cord or peripheral nerve transection injuries remains a significant clinical challenge.
- Current strategies often lack the necessary structural cues to effectively guide axonal regrowth and cellular infiltration.
- Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogels offer biocompatibility but require methods to impart specific structural features for enhanced neural repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for fabricating longitudinally oriented channels within pHEMA hydrogels.
- To create advanced scaffolds for neural tissue engineering applications, specifically for nerve regeneration.
- To provide enhanced surface area and guidance cues for regenerating axons and invading cells.
Main Methods:
- Developed a straightforward fabrication process using polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers embedded within pHEMA hydrogels.
- Utilized sonication in acetone to selectively dissolve PCL fibers, leaving behind fiber-free, longitudinally oriented channels.
- Controlled channel dimensions (diameter and number) by regulating PCL fiber size and density.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated pHEMA hydrogel scaffolds with reproducible, longitudinally oriented channels.
- Characterized scaffolds with varying channel densities and sizes: small channel (142±7 channels, 75% in 100-200 µm range) and large channel (37±1 channels, 77% in 300-400 µm range).
- Measured key material properties: equilibrium water content (EWC) of ~55%, porosity of 35-40%, and compressive modulus of ~182-191 kPa.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a simple and reproducible technique for creating aligned channels in pHEMA hydrogels.
- These channelled hydrogel scaffolds show significant potential as entubulation devices to promote nerve regeneration.
- The ability to control channel characteristics allows for tailored scaffold design for specific neural tissue engineering applications.