Converging 3D Printing and Electrospinning: Effect of Poly(l‐lactide)/Gelatin Based Short Nanofibers Aerogels on Tracheal Regeneration

Abstract

Recently, various tissue engineering based strategies have been pursued for the regeneration of tracheal tissues. However, previously developed tracheal scaffolds do not accurately mimic the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the native trachea, which restrict their clinical translation. Here, tracheal scaffolds are fabricated by using 3D printing and short nanofibers (SF) dispersion of poly(l‐lactide)/gelatin (0.5–1.5 wt%) to afford tracheal constructs. The results display that the scaffolds containing 1.0 wt % of SF exhibit low density, good water absorption capacity, reasonable degradation rate, and stable mechanical properties, which were comparable to the native trachea. Moreover, the designed scaffolds possess good biocompatibility and promote the growth and infiltration of chondrocytes in vitro. The biocompatibility of tracheal scaffolds is further assessed after subcutaneous implantation in mice for up to 4 and 8 weeks. Histological assessment of tracheal constructs explanted at week 4 shows that scaffolds can maintain their structural integrity and support the formation of neo‐vessels. Furthermore, cell‐scaffold constructs gradually form cartilage‐like tissues, which mature with time. Collectively, these engineered tracheal scaffolds not only possess appropriate mechanical properties to afford a stabilized structure but also a biomimetic extracellular matrix‐like structure to accomplish tissue regeneration, which may have broad implications for tracheal regeneration.

Emerging Trends in Nanotechnology: Aerogel-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…modified a framework of electrospinning gelatin/PLA nanofibers cross-linked with hyaluronic acid, resulting in facilitated cartilage healing [ 175 ]. Three-dimensional printing and nanofiber diffusion of poly(l-lactide)/gelatin-aerogel might provide tracheal constructions with a biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM)-like morphology for tissue repair [ 176 ]. In other research, gelatin polycaprolactone (GT/PCL) nanofiber aerogel coupled with an ECM scaffold using an electrospun technique exhibited a tissue architecture comparable to those of real cartilage.…”

Integration of 3D Printing–Coelectrospinning: Concept Shifting in Biomedical Applications

“…In addition, the scaffolds exhibited in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and articular cartilage repair. 131 Yuan et al 132 prepared 3D-printed tracheal constructs consisting of dispersed poly(L-lactide)/gelatin short nanofibers. A scaffold consisting of 1 wt % of nanofibers exhibited less density, better water absorption capability, apposite rate of degradation, and good mechanical strength resembling that of the native trachea.…”

Elastic 3D-Printed Nanofibers Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

“…3D printing is a key technology widely employed in the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds, offering personalized customization and precise macroscopic structure through 3D computer-controlled design. , To achieve precise tissue mimicry, researchers have explored the combination of electrospun nanofibers and 3D printing technology. Yuan et al utilized electrospun nanofibers combined with 3D printed scaffolds to obtain tracheal tissue engineering scaffolds, while Geng et al achieved 3D-printed bone scaffolds with phase-separated nanofiber structures through thermotropic phase separation and 3D printing technology. These approaches effectively leverage the technical advantages of different techniques to provide ideal regenerative structural support for tissue regeneration.…”

“…5,6 To achieve precise tissue mimicry, researchers have explored the combination of electrospun nanofibers and 3D printing technology. Yuan et al 7 scaffolds to obtain tracheal tissue engineering scaffolds, while Geng et al 8 achieved 3D-printed bone scaffolds with phaseseparated nanofiber structures through thermotropic phase separation and 3D printing technology. These approaches effectively leverage the technical advantages of different techniques to provide ideal regenerative structural support for tissue regeneration.…”