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Core/shell Printing Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering Of Tubular Structures
Published on: September 27, 2019
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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Children suffer from damaged or loss of hollow organs i.e. trachea, oesophagus or arteries from birth defects or diseases. Generally these organs possess an outer matrix consisting of collagen, elastin, and cells such as smooth muscle cells (SMC) and a luminal layer consisting of endothelial or epithelial cells, whilst presenting a barrier to luminal content. Tissue engineering research enables the construction of such organs and this study explores this possibility with a bioabsorbable nanocomposite biomaterial, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(ε-caprolactone) urea urethane (POSS-PCL).Our established methods of tubular graft extrusion were modified using a porogen-incorporated POSS-PCL and a new lamination method was explored. Porogen (40, 60 or 105 µm) were introduced to POSS-PCL, which were fabricated into a bilayered, dual topography matching the exterior and luminal interior of tubular organs. POSS-PCL with different amounts of porogen were tested for their suitability as a SMC layer by measuring optimal interactions with human adipose derived stem cells. Angiogenesis potential was tested with the chorioallantoic membrane assay. Tensile strength and burst pressures of bilayared tubular grafts were determined. Scaffolds made with 40 µm porogen demonstrated optimal adipose derived stem cell integration and the scaffolds were able to accommodate angiogenesis. Mechanical properties of the grafts confirmed their potential to match the relevant physiological and biophysical parameters. This study presents a platform for the development of hollow organs for transplantation based on POSS-PCL. These bilayered-tubular structures can be tailor-made for cellular integration and match physico-mechanical properties of physiological systems of interest. More specific luminal cell integration and sources of SMC for the external layer could be further explored.
