Electrospinning based biomaterials for biomimetic fabrication, bioactive protein delivery and wound regenerative repair
Xinyi Dai, Wei Nie, Hua Shen, Hans‐Günther Machens, Kai O. Böker, Shahed Taheri, Wolfgang Lehmann, Yi Shen, Arndt F. Schilling
Abstract
Electrospinning is a remarkably straightforward and adaptable technique that can be employed to process an array of synthetic and natural materials, resulting in the production of nanoscale fibers. It has emerged as a novel technique for biomedical applications and has gained increasing popularity in the research community in recent times. In the context of tissue repair and tissue engineering, there is a growing tendency toward the integration of biomimetic scaffolds and bioactive macromolecules, particularly proteins and growth factors. The design of 'smart' systems provides not merely physical support, but also microenvironmental cues that can guide regenerative tissue repair. Electrospun nanofibrous matrices are regarded as a highly promising tool in this area, as they can serve as both an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffold and a vehicle for the delivery of bioactive proteins. Their highly porous architecture and high surface-to-volume ratio facilitate the loading of drugs and mass transfer. By employing a judicious selection of materials and processing techniques, there is considerable flexibility in efficiently customizing nanofiber architecture and incorporating bioactive proteins. This article presents a review of the strategies employed for the structural modification and protein delivery of electrospun nanofibrous materials, with a focus on the objective of achieving a tailored tissue response. The article goes on to discuss the challenges currently facing the field and to suggest future research directions.