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Core/shell Printing Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering Of Tubular Structures
Published on: September 27, 2019
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A potential platform for developing 3D tubular scaffolds for paediatric organ development
Achala de Mel1, Trixie Yap, Giorgio Cittadella
1UCL Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, Royal Free NHS Trust Hospital Campus, 9th Floor, Rm 355 Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK, a.mel@ucl.ac.uk.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|March 5, 2015
Summary
This study developed a novel bioabsorbable nanocomposite biomaterial, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(ε-caprolactone) urea urethane (POSS-PCL), for tissue engineering hollow organs. Scaffolds with 40 µm porogen showed optimal cell integration and angiogenesis potential, demonstrating promise for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Hollow organs like trachea and esophagus are susceptible to damage from birth defects or diseases.
- Current treatments often involve complex surgeries or artificial implants with limited success.
- Tissue engineering offers a promising alternative for reconstructing these vital organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel bioabsorbable nanocomposite biomaterial for engineering tubular hollow organs.
- To assess the suitability of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(ε-caprolactone) urea urethane (POSS-PCL) for creating functional organ scaffolds.
- To investigate the cellular integration, angiogenesis potential, and mechanical properties of the developed scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Modified established tubular graft extrusion methods incorporating porogens (40, 60, 105 µm) into POSS-PCL.
- Fabricated bilayered, dual topography scaffolds mimicking native organ structures.
- Tested scaffolds for smooth muscle cell (SMC) interaction with human adipose-derived stem cells.
- Assessed angiogenesis potential using the chorioallantoic membrane assay.
- Determined tensile strength and burst pressures of the tubular grafts.
Main Results:
- Scaffolds fabricated with 40 µm porogen exhibited optimal human adipose-derived stem cell integration.
- The developed scaffolds demonstrated capacity for angiogenesis.
- Mechanical properties of the bilayered grafts aligned with relevant physiological and biophysical parameters.
- The POSS-PCL nanocomposite provided a viable platform for hollow organ development.
Conclusions:
- POSS-PCL is a promising biomaterial for the tissue engineering of hollow organs.
- Bilayered-tubular structures can be tailored for specific cellular integration and mechanical properties.
- Further research should focus on luminal cell integration and specific SMC sources for external layers.
