4.12 Membrane Approaches for Liver and Neuronal Tissue Engineering

To date, the creation of biomimetic devices for the regeneration and repair of injured or diseased tissues and organs remains a crucial challenge in tissue engineering. Membrane technology offers advanced approaches to realize multifunctional tools with permissive environments well-controlled at molecular level for the development of functional tissues and organs. Membranes in fiber configuration with precisely controlled, tunable topography, and physical, biochemical, and mechanical cues, can direct and control the function of different kinds of cells toward the recovery from disorders and injuries. At the same time, fiber tools also provide the potential to model diseases in vitro for investigating specific biological phenomena as well as for drug testing. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the literature concerning the development of hollow fibers and electrospun fiber membranes used in bioartificial organs, tissue engineered constructs, and in vitro bioreactors. With the aim to highlight the main biomedical applications of fiber-based systems, the first part reviews the fibers for bioartificial liver and liver tissue engineering with special attention to their multifunctional role in the long-term maintenance of specific liver functions and in driving hepatocyte differentiation. The second part reports the fiber-based systems used for neuronal tissue applications including advanced approaches for the creation of novel nerve conduits and in vitro models of brain tissue. Besides presenting recent advances and achievements, this work also delineates existing limitations and highlights emerging possibilities and future prospects in this field.

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CHAPTER 6. Carbon Nanomaterials for Neuronal Tissue Engineering

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Series - Carbon Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications ◽

10.1039/9781839161070-00184 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 184-222

Author(s):

Myriam Barrejón Araque ◽

Susanna Bosi

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Carbon Nanomaterials ◽

Neuronal Tissue

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Neuronal Differentiation Modulated by Polymeric Membrane Properties

Cells Tissues Organs ◽

10.1159/000477135 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 204 (3-4) ◽

pp. 164-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sabrina Morelli ◽

Antonella Piscioneri ◽

Enrico Drioli ◽

Loredana De Bartolo

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Tissue Engineering ◽

Neuronal Differentiation ◽

Membrane Properties ◽

Polymeric Membrane ◽

Neuronal Growth ◽

Neuronal Structure ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Neuronal Tissue ◽

Potential Use

In this study, different collagen-blend membranes were successfully constructed by blending collagen with chitosan (CHT) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to enhance their properties and thus create new biofunctional materials with great potential use for neuronal tissue engineering and regeneration. Collagen blending strongly affected membrane properties in the following ways: (i) it improved the surface hydrophilicity of both pure CHT and PLGA membranes, (ii) it reduced the stiffness of CHT membranes, but (iii) it did not modify the good mechanical properties of PLGA membranes. Then, we investigated the effect of the different collagen concentrations on the neuronal behavior of the membranes developed. Morphological observations, immunocytochemistry, and morphometric measures demonstrated that the membranes developed, especially CHT/Col30, PLGA, and PLGA/Col1, provided suitable microenvironments for neuronal growth owing to their enhanced properties. The most consistent neuronal differentiation was obtained in neurons cultured on PLGA-based membranes, where a well-developed neuronal network was achieved due to their improved mechanical properties. Our findings suggest that tensile strength and elongation at break are key material parameters that have potential influence on both axonal elongation and neuronal structure and organization, which are of fundamental importance for the maintenance of efficient neuronal growth. Hence, our study has provided new insights regarding the effects of membrane mechanical properties on neuronal behavior, and thus it may help to design and improve novel instructive biomaterials for neuronal tissue engineering.

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