Electrospun hydrogels for dynamic culture systems: advantages, progress, and opportunities

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cellular Biophysics

Background:

• The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, water-swollen environment critical for cell signaling and behavior.
• Electrospun nanofibrous substrates are valuable for tissue engineering, aiming to replicate native ECM features.
• Hydrophilic electrospun hydrogels offer advantages over hydrophobic materials in mimicking the ECM's water-swollen nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review methodologies for controlling biophysical and biochemical properties of electrospun nanofibers.
• To highlight advancements in hydrogel nanofibers with engineered dynamic complexities.
• To explore their application in developing advanced cell culture systems.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of common methodologies for controlling electrospun hydrophobic and hydrogel nanofibers.
• Emphasis on leveraging hydrogel chemistries for dynamic functionality incorporation.
• Analysis of techniques for engineering biophysical and biochemical properties.

Main Results:

• Electrospun hydrogels can achieve water-swollen, nanofibrous characteristics similar to native ECM.
• Hydrophilic materials, when crosslinked into hydrogels, allow for easier incorporation of dynamic functionalities.
• Significant progress has been made in engineering dynamic complexities into hydrogel nanofibers.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun hydrogel nanofibers provide a versatile platform for recapitulating ECM properties.
• Engineered dynamic complexities in hydrogel nanofibers enable sophisticated studies of cellular functions.
• These advanced materials hold great promise for research in biological function, dysfunction, development, and regeneration.