REINFORCED SCAFFOLD FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING - Intelligent Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - page 571

properties of PLA will induce the adhesion of cells and formation
of tissue. 73 Wu et al . attempted to fabricate tissue-engineered tra-
cheae using a PLGA nonwoven mesh coated with collagen, seeded
with chondrocytes, and implanted in nude mice. After eight weeks
of implantation, the constructs were similar to hyaline cartilage in
gross appearance. 74 In addition, Kojima et al . evaluated a tissue-
engineered trachea using cell and reinforced scaffolds. Specifically,
they implanted PGA nonwoven meshes seeded with nasal chondro-
cytes subcutaneously in nude mice. After six weeks, epithelial cells
were injected into the cartilaginous cylinders following removal of
the mold. After an additional six weeks, gross inspection of this
tissue-engineered trachea demonstrated that the regenerated tis-
sue was similar to the native tracheal cartilage and had patency,
rigidity, and a cylindrical shape. 75 Additionally, tracheal scaffolds
composed of a gelatin-coated polypropylene mesh cultured with
epithelial cells were found to induce stenosis in dogs. 71 Further-
more, Lin et al . evaluated reinforced scaffolds composed of PCL and
a type II collagen sponge for tissue-engineered tracheae. To accom-
plish this, the chondrocytes were seeded onto the type II collagen
sponge and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The
constructs were found to be strong enough to retain their tubular
shape, and the gross appearance and histological analyses of the
reinforced scaffold revealed that they were similar to native trachea
(Fig. 28.5). 72
Theresultsofthestudiesdescribedabovedemonstratethatrein-
forced PLGA, a PGA nonwoven mesh, polypropylene, and PCL can
be used as scaffolds for tracheae because they possess adequate
mechanical properties and facilitate increased cell adhesion and
growth (Table 28.1).
28.3.5 Bioartificial Skin
Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) reinforced with nylon
wasdevelopedinstudiesconductedtoevaluateartificialskin. 76 This
reinforced system increased the mechanical properties of the skin
replacement, but reinforcement with a nondegradable polymer was
problematic because it prevented the removal of the polymer after
implantation.