Biocompatible Fibrous Networks of Cellulose Nanofibres and Collagen Crosslinked Using Genipin: Potential as Artificial Ligament/Tendons

Abstract

Bio-based fibrous nanocomposites of cellulose nanofibres and non-crosslinked/crosslinked collagen were prepared by in situ pH-induced fibrillation of collagen phase and sterilized using gamma rays at 25 KGy. Collagen phase is crosslinked using genipin, a bio-based crosslinker that introduces flexible crosslinks. Microscopy studies of the prepared materials showed nanostructured fibrous collagen and cellulose dispersed in collagen matrix. Mechanical performance of the sterilized nanocomposites was close to that of natural ligament and tendon, in simulated body conditions. Cytocompatibility studies indicated that these nanocomposites allowed human ligament cell and human endothelial cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation; which is eminently favourable to ligament tissue engineering.

Cytocompatibility and immunomodulatory properties of wood based nanofibrillated cellulose

“…CNFs have been investigated as a promising substrate for regenerative medicine and wound healing such as scaffolds for tissue-engineered meniscus, blood vessels, and ligament or tendon substitutes (Mathew et al 2011(Mathew et al , 2012Jia et al 2013;Mathew et al 2013;Lin and Dufresne 2014). The applicability of CNFs as hemodialysis membranes (Ferraz et al 2012(Ferraz et al , 2013, antimicrobial nanomaterials (Martins et al 2012;Liu et al 2014) and in the pharmaceutical industry as films for long-lasting sustained drug delivery (Valo et al 2011;Kolakovic et al 2012) has also been documented.…”

The Use of Nanofibrillar Cellulose Hydrogel As a Flexible Three-Dimensional Model to Culture Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…They form hydrogels with tuneable physical and chemical properties [24,25] and are shown to be non-cytotoxic [26]. Therefore, they have diverse pharmaceutical and biomedical applications [27][28][29]. When used in cell culture, the NFC hydrogel is mixed with cells without any polymerization process.…”

3-Dimensional porous nanocomposite scaffolds based on cellulose nanofibers for cartilage tissue engineering: tailoring of porosity and mechanical performance

“…8,9,14,15 Our earlier studies have also demonstrated that solution cast brous nanocomposite structures with high cellulose nanobers concentrations (75 wt%) and collagen provide mechanical performance suitable for ligaments. 8,9 Also, our previous studies have demonstrated the noncytotoxicity of nanocellulose from different sources and their potential in medical applications.…”

“…8,9,14,15 Our earlier studies have also demonstrated that solution cast brous nanocomposite structures with high cellulose nanobers concentrations (75 wt%) and collagen provide mechanical performance suitable for ligaments. 8,9 Also, our previous studies have demonstrated the noncytotoxicity of nanocellulose from different sources and their potential in medical applications. 15,19,20 In the current study, 3D nanocomposite scaffolds for cartilage regeneration were processed via freeze-drying technique, where porous cellulose nanober structures were bound together and mechanically/dimensionally stabilized using low amounts of crosslinked chitosan/gelatin blend system.…”

“…Moreover, the pore structure and sizes, which favor the movement of uids through the scaffold, creating drag forces, 21 as well as the development of ECM, is known to contribute to the load bearing under in vivo conditions. Though tailoring of mechanical properties using nanocellulose have received some attention in tissue engineering, 8,9,22 limited studies are available on tailoring the pore structure in bionanocomposites and understanding the effect of porosity on the mechanical performance. It is highly challenging to tailor the pore structure and mechanical properties required for tissue regeneration, simultaneously, as increase in porosity generally decreases the mechanical properties and vice versa.…”