Biomaterials and tissue engineering in traumatic brain injury:novel perspectives on promoting neural regeneration

Traumatic brain injury is a serious medical condition that can be attributed to falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and acts of violence, causing a series of neural injuries and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, limited accessibility to the injury sites, complicated histological and anatomical structure, intricate cellular and extracellular milieu, lack of regenerative capacity in the native cells, vast variety of damage routes, and the insufficient time available for treatment have restricted the widespread application of several therapeutic methods in cases of central nervous system injury. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have emerged as innovative approaches in the field of nerve regeneration. By combining biomaterials, stem cells, and growth factors, these approaches have provided a platform for developing effective treatments for neural injuries, which can offer the potential to restore neural function, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the need for drugs and invasive surgical procedures. Biomaterials have shown advantages in promoting neural development, inhibiting glial scar formation, and providing a suitable biomimetic neural microenvironment, which makes their application promising in the field of neural regeneration. For instance, bioactive scaffolds loaded with stem cells can provide a biocompatible and biodegradable milieu. Furthermore, stem cells-derived exosomes combine the advantages of stem cells, avoid the risk of immune rejection, cooperate with biomaterials to enhance their biological functions, and exert stable functions, thereby inducing angiogenesis and neural regeneration in patients with traumatic brain injury and promoting the recovery of brain function. Unfortunately, biomaterials have shown positive effects in the laboratory, but when similar materials are used in clinical studies of human central nervous system regeneration, their efficacy is unsatisfactory. Here, we review the characteristics and properties of various bioactive materials, followed by the introduction of applications based on biochemistry and cell molecules, and discuss the emerging role of biomaterials in promoting neural regeneration. Further, we summarize the adaptive biomaterials infused with exosomes produced from stem cells and stem cells themselves for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Finally, we present the main limitations of biomaterials for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and offer insights into their future potential.

Evaluation of corneal cell growth on tissue engineering materials as artificial cornea scaffolds

The keratoprosthesis(KPro;artificial cornea)is a special refractive device to replace human cornea by using heterogeneous forming materials for the implantation into the damaged eyes in order to obtain a certain vision.The main problems of artificial cornea are the biocompatibility and stability of the tissue particularly in penetrating keratoplasty.The current studies of tissue-engineered scaffold materials through comprising composites of natural and synthetic biopolymers together have developed a new way to artificial cornea.Although a wide agreement that the long-term stability of these devices would be greatly improved by the presence of cornea cells,modification of keratoprosthesis to support cornea cells remains elusive.Most of the studies on corneal substrate materials and surface modification of composites have tried to improve the growth and biocompatibility of cornea cells which can not only reduce the stimulus of heterogeneous materials,but also more importantly continuous and stable cornea cells can prevent the destruction of collagenase.The necrosis of stroma and spontaneous extrusion of the device,allow for maintenance of a precorneal tear layer,and play the role of ensuring a good optical surface and resisting bacterial infection.As a result,improvement in corneal cells has been the main aim of several recent investigations;some effort has focused on biomaterial for its well biological properties such as promoting the growth of cornea cells.The purpose of this review is to summary the growth status of the corneal cells after the implantation of several artificial corneas.

Molecular Design of Synthetic Biodegradable Polymersas Cell Scaffold Materials

Poly(lactic acid) and its copolymers are regarded as the most useful biomaterials. The good biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical properties of them make the synthetic biodegradable polymers have primary application to tissue engineering. The advantages and disadvantages of the synthetic biodegradable polymers as cell scaffold materials are evaluated. This article reviews the modification of polylactide-family aliphatic polymers to improve the cell affinity when the polymers are used as cell scaffolds. We have developed four main approaches: to modify polyester cell scaffolds in combination of plasma treating and collagen coating; to introduce hydrophilic segments into aliphatic polyester backbones; to introduce pendant functional groups into polyester chains; to modify polyester with dextran. The results of the cell cultures prove that the approaches mentioned above have improved the cell affinity of the polyesters and have modulated cell function such as adhesion, proliferation and migration.

Exploring the interconnectivity of biomimetic hierarchical porous Mg scaffolds for bone tissue engineering:Effects of pore size distribution on mechanical properties,degradation behavior and cell migration ability

Interconnectivity is the key characteristic of bone tissue engineering scaffold modulating cell migration,blood vessels invasion and transport of nutrient and waste.However,efforts and understanding of the interconnectivity of porous Mg is limited due to the diverse architectures of pore struts and pore size distribution of Mg scaffold systems.In this work,biomimetic hierarchical porous Mg scaffolds with tailored interconnectivity as well as pore size distribution were prepared by template replication of infiltration casting.Mg scaffold with better interconnectivity showed lower mechanical strength.Enlarging interconnected pores would enhance the interconnectivity of the whole scaffold and reduce the change of ion concentration,pH value and osmolality of the degradation microenvironment due to the lower specific surface area.Nevertheless,the degradation rates of five tested Mg scaffolds were no different because of the same geometry of strut unit.Direct cell culture and evaluation of cell density at both sides of four typical Mg scaffolds indicated that cell migration through hierarchical porous Mg scaffolds could be enhanced by not only bigger interconnected pore size but also larger main pore size.In summary,design of interconnectivity in terms of pore size distribution could regulate mechanical strength,microenvironment in cell culture condition and cell migration potential,and beyond that it shows great potential for personalized therapy which could facilitate the regeneration process.

Liver regeneration using decellularized splenic scaffold: a novel approach in tissue engineering

BACKGROUND： The potential application of decellularized liver scaffold for liver regeneration is limited by severe shortage of donor organs. Attempt of using heterograft scaffold is accompanied with high risks of zoonosis and immunological rejection. We proposed that the spleen, which procured more extensively than the liver, could be an ideal source of decellularized scaffold for liver regeneration. METHODS： After harvested from donor rat, the spleen was processed by 12-hour freezing/thawing ×2 cycles, then circulation perfusion of 0.02% trypsin and 3% Triton X-100 sequentially through the splenic artery for 32 hours in total to prepare decellularized scaffold. The structure and component characteristics of the scaffold were determined by hematoxylin and eosin and immumohistochemical staining, scanning electron microscope, DNA detection, porosity measurement, biocompatibility and cytocompatibility test. Recellularization of scaffold by 5×106 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（BMSCs） was carried out to preliminarily evaluate the feasibility of liver regeneration by BMSCs reseeding and differentiation in decellularized splenic scaffold.RESULTS： After decellularization, a translucent scaffold, which retained the gross shape of the spleen, was generated. Histological evaluation and residual DNA quantitation revealed the remaining of extracellular matrix without nucleus and cytoplasm residue. Immunohistochemical study proved the existence of collagens I, IV, fibronectin, laminin and elastin in decellularized splenic scaffold, which showed a similarity with decellularized liver. A scanning electron microscope presented the remaining three-dimensional porous structure of extracellular matrix and small blood vessels. The poros-ity of scaffold, aperture of 45.36±4.87 μm and pore rate of 80.14%±2.99% was suitable for cell engraftment. Subcutaneous implantation of decellularized scaffold presented good histocompatibility, and recellularization of the splenic scaffold demonstrated that BMSCs could locate and survive in the decellularized matrix. CONCLUSION： Considering the more extensive organ source and satisfying biocompatibility, the present study indicated that the three-dimensional decellularized splenic scaffold might have considerable potential for liver regeneration when combined with BMSCs reseeding and differentiation.

Selected suitable seed cell, scaffold and growth factor could maximize the repair effect using tissue engineering method in spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury usually leads to permanent disability, which could cause a huge financial problem to the patient. Up to now there is no effective method to treat this disease. The key of the treatment is to enable the damage zone axonal regeneration and luckily it could go through the damage zone; last a connection can be established with the target neurons. This study attempts to combine stem cell, material science and genetic modification technology together, by preparing two genes modified adipose-derived stem cells and inducing them into neuron direction; then by compositing them on the silk fibroin/chitosan scaffold and implanting them into the spinal cord injury model, seed cells can have features of neuron cells. At the same time, it could stably express the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3, both of which could produce synergistic effects, which have a positive effect on the recovery of spinal cord. The spinal cord scaffold bridges the broken end of the spinal cord and isolates with the surrounding environment, which could avoid a scar effect on the nerve regeneration and provide three-dimensional space for the seed cell growth, and at last we hope to provide a new treatment for spinal cord injury with the tissue engineering technique.

Biomaterial–Related Cell Microenvironment in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

An appropriate cell microenvironment is key to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.Revealing the factors that influence the cell microenvironment is a fundamental research topic in the fields of cell biology,biomaterials,tissue engineering,and regenerative medicine.The cell microenvironment consists of not only its surrounding cells and soluble factors,but also its extracellular matrix(ECM)or nearby external biomaterials in tissue engineering and regeneration.This review focuses on six aspects of bioma-terial-related cell microenvironments:①chemical composition of materials,②material dimensions and architecture,③material-controlled cell geometry,④effects of material charges on cells,⑤matrix stiff-ness and biomechanical microenvironment,and⑥surface modification of materials.The present chal-lenges in tissue engineering are also mentioned,and eight perspectives are predicted.

3D printing of tissue engineering scaffolds:a focus on vascular regeneration

Tissue engineering is an emerging means for resolving the problems of tissue repair and organ replacement in regenerative medicine.Insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen to cells in large-scale tissues has led to the demand to prepare blood vessels.Scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches are effective methods to form new blood vessel tissues.The demand for blood vessels prompts systematic research on fabrication strategies of vascular scaffolds for tissue engineering.Recent advances in 3D printing have facilitated fabrication of vascular scaffolds,contributing to broad prospects for tissue vascularization.This review presents state of the art on modeling methods,print materials and preparation processes for fabrication of vascular scaffolds,and discusses the advantages and application fields of each method.Specially,significance and importance of scaffold-based tissue engineering for vascular regeneration are emphasized.Print materials and preparation processes are discussed in detail.And a focus is placed on preparation processes based on 3D printing technologies and traditional manufacturing technologies including casting,electrospinning,and Lego-like construction.And related studies are exemplified.Transformation of vascular scaffolds to clinical application is discussed.Also,four trends of 3D printing of tissue engineering vascular scaffolds are presented,including machine learning,near-infrared photopolymerization,4D printing,and combination of self-assembly and 3D printing-based methods.

Preparation of polypyrrole-embedded electrospun poly(lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering

Polypyrrole （PPy） is a biocompatible polymer with good conductivity. Studies combining PPy with electrospinning have been reported; however, the associated decrease in PPy conductivity has not yet been resolved. We embedded PPy into poly（lactic acid） （PLA） nanofibers via electrospinning and fabricated a PLA/PPy nanofibrous scaffold containing 15% PPy with sustained conductivity and aligned topog- raphy, qhere was good biocompatibility between the scaffold and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as well as Schwann cells. Additionally, the direction of cell elongation on the scaffold was parallel to the direction of fibers. Our findings suggest that the aligned PLA/PPy nanofibrous scaffold is a promising biomaterial for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Morphological Evaluation of PLA/Soybean Oil Epoxidized Acrylate Three-Dimensional Scaffold in Bone Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering’s main goal is to regenerate or replace tissues or organs that have been destroyed by disease,injury,or congenital disabilities.Tissue engineering now uses artificial supporting structures called scaffolds to restore damaged tissues and organs.These are utilized to attach the right cells and then grow them.Rapid prototyping appears to be the most promising technology due to its high level of precision and control.Bone tissue replacement“scaffolding”is a common theme discussed in this article.The fused deposition technique was used to construct our scaffold,and a polymer called polylactic acids and soybean oil resin were used to construct our samples.The samples were then divided into two groups;the first group was left without immersion in the simulated body fluid and served as a control for comparison.The second group was immersed in the simulated body fluid.The results of the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope(FESEM),Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDX)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)were utilized to interpret the surface attachment to ions,elements,and compounds,giving us a new perspective on scaffold architecture.In this study,an innovative method has been used to print therapeutic scaffold that combines fused deposition three-dimensional printing with ultraviolet curing to create a high-quality biodegradable polymeric scaffold.Finally,the results demonstrate that adding soybean oil resin to the PLA increased ion attachment to the surface while also attracting tricalcium phosphate formation on the surface of the scaffold,which is highly promising in bone tissue replacement.In conclusion,the soybean oil resin,which is new in the field of bone tissue engineering,shows magnificent characteristics and is a good replacement biopolymer that replaces many ceramic and polymeric materials used in this field that have poor morphological characteristics.

The development of tissue engineering corneal scaffold:which one the history will choose?

Since the 21st century,the development of corneal tissue engineering technology has been developing rapidly.With the progress of biomaterials,cell culture and tissue engineering technology,tissue engineering cornea has gained great development in both basic scientific research and clinical application.In particular,tissue engineered corneal scaffolds are the core components of tissue engineered corneas.It is the focus of current research on tissue engineering cornea to search for scaffolds with good biocompatibility,high safety and good biomechanical properties.In this paper,the recent research progress of tissue engineering corneal materials is reviewed.

WJSC 6^(th) Anniversary Special Issues(2):Mesenchymal stem cellsAdipose mesenchymal stem cells in the field of bone tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineering represents one of the most challenging emergent fields for scientists and clinicians.Current failures of autografts and allografts in many pathological conditions have prompted researchers to find new biomaterials able to promote bone repair or regeneration with specific characteristics of biocompatibility,biodegradability and osteoinductivity.Recent advancements for tissue regeneration in bone defects have occurred by following the diamond concept and combining the use of growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).In particular,a more abundant and easily accessible source of MSCs was recently discovered in adipose tissue.These adipose stem cells(ASCs)can be obtained in large quantities with little donor site morbidity or patient discomfort,in contrast to the invasive and painful isolation of bone marrow MSCs.The osteogenic potential of ASCs on scaffolds has been examined in cell cultures and animal models,with only a few cases reporting the use of ASCs for successful reconstruction or accelerated healing of defects of the skull and jaw in patients.Although these reports extend our limited knowledge concerning the use of ASCs for osseous tissue repair and regeneration,the lack of standardization in applied techniques makes the comparison between studies difficult.Additional clinical trials are needed to assess ASC therapy and address potential ethical and safety concerns,which must be resolved to permit application in regenerative medicine.

Poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide-co-<i>N</i>-<i>tert</i>-butylacrylamide)- grafted hyaluronan as an injectable and self-assembling scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering

Novel poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-tert-butylacrylamide)-grafted hyaluronan [P(NIPAAm-co-NtBAAm)-g-HA] has been developed as a modified derivative to improve phase-transition characteristics of PNIPAAm-g-HA, which has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of approximately 32°C. This promising self-assembling biomaterial has potential as an injectable scaffold for in situ cartilage tissue engineering. LCST of the P(NIPAAm-co-NtBAAm)-g-HA decreased to approximately 3.6°C compared to that of the original PNIPAAm-g-HA. This modification enabled self-assembly at body temperatures lower than the temperature of the parental PNIPAAm-g-HA molecule. Cytotoxicity and acute systemic toxicity assays revealed that P(NIPAAm-co-NtBAAm)-g-HA was not hazardous. The DNA content of chondrogenic differentiated mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) embedded in the gels was higher than that of biomaterial-free aggregates during the culture periods. Cartilage-related genes were also expressed in chondrogenic differentiated MSCs embedded in the P (NIPAAm-co-NtBAAm)-g-HA hydrogel. Specifically, an increased expression of SRY-related HMG box-containing gene 9 (Sox9) observed in the hydrogel group compared to controls. These data suggest that P(NIPAAm-co-NtBAAm)-g-HA is a promising injectable scaffold with thermoresponsive properties suitable for in situ cartilage tissue engineering.

Application of tissue engineering in stem cell therapy

Tissue engineering based on stem cells has gained interest recently as attempts are made to engineer scaffold environments mimicking the stem cell niche, which contains a reservoir of multipotent stem cells that can maintain normal tissue or restore unhealthy cell populations in response to mechanisms of quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation of the stem cells. These cell behaviors are governed by soluble signals that are systemic or presented by local niche cells. In this review, current and emergent approaches based on stem cells in the field of tissue engineering are presented for specific applications of human tissues and organs. The combination of stem cells and tissue engineering opens new perspectives in tissue regeneration for stem cell therapy because of the potential to control stem cell behavior with the physical and chemical characteristics of the engineered scaffold environment.

Status of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in Iran and related advanced tools: Bioreactors and scaffolds

Because of increased need to tissue and organ transplantation, tissue engineering (TE) researches have significantly increased in recent years in Iran. The present study explored briefly the advances in the TE approaches in Iran. Through comprehensive search, we explored main TE components researches include cell, scaffold, growth factor and bioreactor conducted in Iran. The field of TE and regenerative medicine in Iran dates back to the early part of the 1990 decade and the advent of stem cell researches. During past two decades, Iran was one of leader in stem cell research in Middle East. The next major step in TE was application and fabrication of scaffolds for TE in the early 2000s with focused on engineering bone and nerve tissue. Iranian researchers extensively used natural scaffolds in their studies and hybridized natural polymers and inorganic scaffolds. There are many universities and government research institutes are conducting active research on tissue-engineering technologies. Limitations to TE in Iran include property design and validation of bioreactors. In conclusion, in the last few years, fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine such as stem cell technology and scaffolds have progressed in Iran, but one of the biggest challenges for TE is bioreactors researches.

Effect of PGA/PLA scaffold material on tissue engineering cartilage reconstruction of knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To investigate the effect of PGA/PLA scaffolds on tissue engineering cartilage reconstruction in knee osteoarthritis. Methods:Thirty Japanese white rabbits were divided into three groups. The first group was healthy (group H):normal Japanese white rabbits, without knee osteoarthritis;the second group, knee osteoarthritis group ( Group k):Normal Japanese white rabbits were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis by model preparation;Group 3, tissue engineering group (Group T):Tissue engineering cartilage reconstruction of Japanese knee white rabbits with knee osteoarthritis. 10 white rabbits per group. The cartilage histological score, HE staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, qRT-PCR analysis of H group, k group, T group cartilage histological score, cartilage histopathology and morphological changes, cartilage tissue The difference in Col-Ⅱ protein content and Col-Ⅱ mRNA content was used to investigate the effect of PGA/PLA scaffold material on tissue engineering cartilage reconstruction of knee osteoarthritis. Results:Cartilage tissue was scored according to international histological scoring criteria. The cartilage of the k group was severely fibrotic, the surface of the joint was irregular, and there were many fluids in the cavity, and the defect was severe. In the T group, the fibrosis phenomenon was alleviated, the surface was regular, the area of the effusion in the cavity was reduced, no depression occurred, and the surface of the joint was regular. Arthritis symptoms and cartilage tissue scores were significantly improved in group T and group k (P<0.05). The chondrocytes in the H group were densely distributed, and the k group was disorderly and sparse. In the H group, the cartilage layer of the knee joint was thick, and the cartilage layer in the k group was thin and damaged. The chondrocytes in the H group were located in the lacuna in the stroma, and there were cartilage sacs. The k group had obvious defects and no cartilage capsule structure (all P<0.05). Compared with the k group, the cartilage layer at the knee joint was thicker and the cells were densely distributed. The cartilage sac of some cells could be seen (P<0.05). There were more stromal collagen positive cells in the knee joint of group H. The number of cells in the k group was the least, the cartilage matrix was the most severely damaged, and the chondrocytes and the bone matrix were loose. Compared with group T and group k, the damage of positive cartilage matrix was reduced, and the number of cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). Result:There was a significant difference between the k group and the T group (P<0.05). Western blot was used to immunoblot the content of Col-Ⅱ protein in cartilage tissues of group H, k and T. According to the gray scale analysis, the content of Col-Ⅱ protein was the highest in group H, and the lowest in group k, group T and k. Compared with the group, the content of Col-Ⅱ protein was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of Col-Ⅱ mRNA in cartilage tissue of H group was the highest in group H, and the expression of Col-Ⅱ mRNA was the lowest in group k. The expression of Col-Ⅱ mRNA was significantly increased in group T and group k (all P< 0.05). Conclusions:PGA/PLA was used as scaffold material to reconstruct knee osteochondral tissue by tissue engineering method, which has obvious therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.

Research Progress of Osteochondral Composite Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering Cartilage Repair

Repair and regeneration of articular cartilage has always been a major challenge in the medical field due to its peculiar structure(e.g.sparsely distributed chondrocytes,no blood supply).Cartilage tissue engineering is one promising strategy for cartilage repair,however,one critical issue for cartilage tissue engineering is the integration between tissue-engineered and native cartilage.In recent years,osteochondral tissue engineering has attracted growing interest for overcoming this problem.Herein,we review the development of osteochondral tissue engineering.Firstly,currently used seed cells in osteochondral tissue engineering will be described.Secondly,several types of scaffolds and their(dis)advantage for osteochondral tissue engineering will be introduced.Thirdly,the growth factors currently used in osteochondral tissue engineering will be presented and discussed.

The Use of Zein and Shuanghuangbu for Periodontal Tissue Engineering

Aim Tissue engineering is a promising area with a broad range of applications in the fields of regenerative medicine and human health. The emergence of periodontal tissue engineering for clinical treatment of periodontal disease has opened a new therapeutic avenue. The choice of scaffold is crucial. This study was conducted to prepare zein scaffold and explore the suitability of zein and Shuanghuangbu for periodontal tissue engineering.Methodology A zein scaffold was made using the solvent casting/particulate leaching method with sodium chloride （NaC1） particles as the porogen. The physical properties of the zein scaffold were evaluated by observing its shape and determining its pore structure and porosity. Cytotoxicity testing of the scaffold was carried out via in vitro cell culture experiments, including a liquid extraction experi- ment and the direct contact assay. Also, the Chinese medicine Shuanghuangbu, as a growth factor, was diluted by scaffold extract into different concentrations. This Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract was then added to periodontal ligament cells （PDLCs） in order to determineits effect on cell proliferation. Results The zein scaffold displayed a sponge-like structure with a high porosity and sufficient thickness. The porosity and pore size of the zein scaffold can be controlled by changing the porogen particles dosage and size. The porosity was up to 64.1%-78.0%. The pores were well-distributed, interconnected, and porous. The toxicity of the zein scaffold was graded as 0-1. Furthermore, PDLCs displayed full stretching and vigorous growth under scanning electronic microscope （SEM）. Shuanghuangbu-scaffold extract could reinforce proliferation activity of PDLCs compared to the control group, especially at 100 μg.mL^-1 （P〈0.01）. Conclusion A zein scaffold with high porosity, open pore wall structure, and good biocompatibility is conducive to the growth of PDLCs. Zein could be used as scaffold to repair periodontal tissue defects. Also, Shuanghuangbuscaffold extract can enhance the proliferation activity of PDLCs. Altogether, these findings provide the basis for in vivo testing on animals.

Nano-apatite/Polymer Biocomposite for Tissue Engineering

A new kind of tissue engineering scaffold materials of nano-apatite （ NA ） and polyamide6 （ PA6 ） biocomposite was prepared by means of the co-solution method. The NA crystals uniforndy distribute in the composite with a size of 10-30 nm in diameter by 50-90 nm in length. The NA/ PA6 composite has good homogeneity and high NA content, and excellent mechanical properties close to those of natural bone. The porous 3-D scaffold has not only macropores, but also micropores on the walls of macropores with porosity of about 80% and the size of pore diameter of about 300μm made by injection foam. The biocomposite can be used for bone repair and as scaffolds in tissue engineering.