Chitosan-based biomaterials for tissue engineering

in European Polymer Journal (2013), 49(4), 780-792

Derived from chitin, chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, beside biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of ... [more ▼]

Derived from chitin, chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, beside biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of primary amines along the chitosan backbone. As a consequence, this polysaccharide is a relevant candidate in the field of biomaterials, especially for tissue engineering. The current article highlights the preparation and properties of innovative chitosan-based biomaterials, with respect to their future applications. The use of chitosan in 3D-scaffolds – as gels and sponges – and in 2D-scaffolds – as films and fibers – is discussed, with a special focus on wound healing application. [less ▲]

Mechanical testing of electrospun PCL fibers

in Acta Biomaterialia (2012), 8(1), 218-224

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers ranging from 250 to 700 nm in diameter were produced by electrospinning a polymer tetrahydrofuran/N,N-dimethylformamide solution. The mechanical properties of the fibrous ... [more ▼]

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers ranging from 250 to 700 nm in diameter were produced by electrospinning a polymer tetrahydrofuran/N,N-dimethylformamide solution. The mechanical properties of the fibrous scaffolds and individual fibers were measured by different methods. The Young’s moduli of the scaffolds were determined using macro-tensile testing equipment, whereas single fibers were mechanically tested using a nanoscale three-point bending method, based on atomic force microscopy and force spectroscopy analyses. The modulus obtained by tensile-testing eight different fiber scaffolds was 3.8 ± 0.8 MPa. Assuming that PCL fibers can be described by the bending model of isotropic materials, a Young’s modulus of 3.7 ± 0.7 GPa was determined for single fibers. The difference of three orders of magnitude observed in the moduli of fiber scaffolds vs. single fibers can be explained by the lacunar and random structure of the scaffolds. [less ▲]

Chitosan-based nanofibers with multilayered structure for wound healing application

Poster (2011, November 21)

Chitosan is a natural polymer that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical ... [more ▼]

Chitosan is a natural polymer that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical applications, on account of its remarkable compatibility with physiological medium and its biodegradability. In this respect, nanometric fibers are highly interesting as their assembly mimics the skin extracellular matrix structure. Such nanofibrous materials can be prepared by electrospinning (ESP) and can be used as scaffolds, a.o. to form a temporary, artificial extracellular matrix. In the present study, electrospinning technique was combined with layer-by-layer deposition method (LBL) – a well-known method for surface coating, based on electrostatic interactions – in order to prepare multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers for wound healing application. [less ▲]

Multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers for wound dressing application

Poster (2011, June 16)

Stimuli-responsive triblock copolymer for biomedical applications

Poster (2011, May 12)

Chitosan nanofiber membranes for tissue engineering - synthesis, characterization and properties

Poster (2010, November 29)

This poster was presented by Natalia Toncheva

Chitosan-based wound dressings produced by electrospinning

Poster (2010, September 07)

Stimuli-responsive triblock copolymer for biomedical applications

Poster (2010, May 25)

AFM-based mechanical testing of electrospun PCL fibers

Poster (2009, December 14)

Poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL forms a part of the aliphatic polyesters; the biodegradable and biocompatible character of these polymers makes them outstanding candidates for short-to medium-term biomedical ... [more ▼]

Poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL forms a part of the aliphatic polyesters; the biodegradable and biocompatible character of these polymers makes them outstanding candidates for short-to medium-term biomedical applications, especially in the form of nanometric fibers,as their assembly mimics the extracellular matrix structure. However, a prerequisite to their application as nanofibrous biomaterial scaffolds is the investigation of their mechanical strength. In the present study, PCL fibers produced by electrospinning were individually tested using an AFM-based nano-scale three-point bending technique. [less ▲]

Development of multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers

Poster (2009, June 14)

By combining electrospinning and layer-by-layer deposition techniques, new porous material scaffolds of multilayered, chitosan-based nanofibers were produced. Layer-by-layer (LBL) is a well-known method ... [more ▼]

By combining electrospinning and layer-by-layer deposition techniques, new porous material scaffolds of multilayered, chitosan-based nanofibers were produced. Layer-by-layer (LBL) is a well-known method for surface coating, based on electrostatic interactions. It enables the controllable deposition of a variety of polyelectrolytes including synthetic and natural materials, with designable layer structure, defined layer thickness and size. Electrospinning (ESP) allows the fabrication of polymer fibers ranging from nanometers to a few microns in diameter, depending on the polymer characteristics (a.o. molecular weight, solution viscosity and conductivity) and processing conditions (electric potential, distance between syringe-capillary and collection plate, concentration, flow rate). Mats of nanofibers produced by ESP display a very large surface area-to-volume ratio and high porosity with very small pore size. The nanometric scale of electrospun fibers also proves a positive effect on cellular growth, as fiber mats mimic extracellular matrix structure. The association of these two techniques with the use of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as chitosan, gives outstanding prospects in the field of biomedical applications, especially for the preparation of wound dressings, artificial skin or tissue engineering scaffolds. In the present study, a charged copolymer, poly(methylmethacrylate-block-methacrylic acid), was added to a poly(ε-caprolactone) or poly(D,L-lactide) solution before electrospinning in order to prepare surface charged nanofibers. Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes – chitosan and poly(styrene sulfonate) or hyaluronic acid – were then alternately deposited on these aliphatic polyester fiber “cores” using LBL method. The aliphatic polyester core was also removed selectively to confirm the growth of a multilayered shell, obtaining hollow fibers. [less ▲]