Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
matrices, while preserving their phenotype. On the basis of this
study, gelatin-modified PET nanofibers could be potential candi-
dates for the engineering of vascular grafts. Researchers developed
electrospun micro- and nanofibrous scaffolds from natural poly-
mers, such as collagen and elastin, with the goal of developing con-
structsforvasculartissueengineering.
22
Theirresultsdemonstrated
that electrospun collagen and elastin nanofibers were able to mimic
the complex architecture required of vascular constructs and were
able to provide good mechanical properties that are desired in the
environment of the bloodstream. Their study indicated that micro-
and nanofibrous scaffolds synthesized from natural polymers, such
ascollagenandelastin,couldbeusefulintheengineeringofartificial
bloodvessels.
12.3.3
Ligament Grafts
Ligaments have a unique combination of molecular, structural, and
mechanical properties, but there is no single unique marker that
can be used to distinguish between ligaments and other tissues.
In addition, ligament properties vary with the anatomic location,
age, and many factors associated with an injury or disease. On
the structure-function level, the unique helical organization of col-
lagen fiber bundles is thought to be essential for ligaments to
perform their stabilizing function. Ligaments are bands of dense
connective tissue responsible for joint movement and stability.
Ligament ruptures result in abnormal joint kinematics and often
irreversible damage of the surrounding tissue, leading to tissue
degenerative diseases, which do not heal naturally and cannot be
completely repaired by conventional clinical methods.
23
Recently,
tissue engineering methods involving nanofibers have been suc-
cessfully employed to meet this challenge.
23
In particular, aligned
nanofibers enhanced cell response and hence were explored as
scaffolds for ligament tissue engineering. Lee
et al.
studied the
effects of PU nanofiber alignment and the direction of mechanical
stimuli on the ECM generation of human ligament (anterior cru-
ciate) fibroblasts (HLF).
24
Collagen and silk have been used clini-
cally for decades (e.g., hemostats and surgical sutures) and more
recently for tissue engineering.
25
Collagen type I gel provided a 3D
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