Micropatterning of nanocomposite polymer scaffolds using sacrificial phosphate glass fibers for tendon tissue engineering applications

• Published in: Nanomedicine 2017-04, Vol.13 (3), p.1267-1277
• Main Authors: Alshomer, Feras, Chaves, Camilo, Serra, Tiziano, Ahmed, Ifty, Kalaskar, Deepak M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Collagen - analysis; Collagen - metabolism; Glass - chemistry; Humans; Male; Micropattern scaffolds; Middle Aged; Nanocomposite polymer; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Phosphate glass fibers; Phosphates - chemistry; Tendon graft; Tendons - cytology; Tendons - metabolism; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; Wettability
• ISSN: 1549-9634; 1549-9642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.01.006

This study presents a simple and reproducible method of micropatterning the novel nanocomposite polymer (POSS-PCU) using a sacrificial phosphate glass fiber template for tendon tissue engineering applications. The diameters of the patterned scaffolds produced were dependent on the diameter of the glass fibers (15 μm) used. Scaffolds were tested for their physical properties and reproducibility using various microscopy techniques. For the first time, we show that POSS-PCU supports growth of human tenocytes cells. Furthermore, we show that cellular alignment, their biological function and expression of various tendon related proteins such as scleraxis, collagen I and III, tenascin-C are significantly elevated on the micropatterned polymer surfaces compared to flat samples. This study demonstrated a simple, reproducible method of micropatterning POSS-PCU nanocomposite polymer for novel tendon repair applications, which when provided with physical cues could help mimic the microenvironment of tenocytes cells. This study for the first time shows potential of POSS-PCU nanocomposite for tendon repair applications. Micropatterning of the POSS-PCU is achieved by using sacrificial phosphate glass fiber template. This micropattern polymer significantly enhances cellular alignment and biological function of tenocytes compared to unpattern surface, thus bio-mimicking tenocytes microenvironment. This study provides simple, effective and reproducible method of micropatterning polymers for tendon repair applications. [Display omitted]