Nanospiderwebs: Artificial 3D Extracellular Matrix from Nanofibers by Novel Clinical Grade Electrospinning for Stem Cell Delivery

Abstract

Novel clinical grade electrospinning methods could provide three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured biomaterials comprising of synthetic or natural biopolymer nanofibers. Such advanced materials could potentially mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) accurately and may provide superior niche-like spaces on the subcellular scale for optimal stem-cell attachment and individual cell homing in regenerative therapies. The goal of this study was to design several novel "nanofibrous extracellular matrices" (NF-ECMs) with a natural mesh-like 3D architecture through a unique needle-free multi-jet electrospinning method in highly controlled manner to comply with good manufacturing practices (GMP) for the production of advanced healthcare materials for regenerative medicine, and to test cellular behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) on these. Biopolymers manufactured as 3D NF-ECM meshes under clinical grade GMP-like conditions show higher intrinsic cytobiocompatibility with superior cell integration and proliferation if compared to their 2D counterparts or a clinically-approved collagen membrane.

Centrifugally-spun tin-containing carbon nanofibers as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

“…However, electrospinning is an time-and energy-consuming process hindered by solution conductivity, sensitivity of solution stability, and low production rates of 0.1-1 g h -1 per nozzle [15,16]. Although modified needleless electrospinning such as patented Nanospider TM techniques have been developed [17], drawbacks such as high energy cost and complexity of the facility [18] still persist. Thus, a simple method is in great demand for large-scale production of nanofibers for the field of energy storage.…”

Layer-by-layer paper-stacking nanofibrous membranes to deliver adipose-derived stem cells for bone regeneration

“…16,17 The electrospun membranes are thin (approximately 50 µm) and permeable, which facilitate a good distribution of oxygen and nutrients into the center of the paper-stacking scaffold. 18 In addition, we laid ADSCs into the scaffold not only because they supply a large amount of stem cells that differentiate into osteogenic lineages but also because they secrete certain growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM), which provide a biomimetic environment for tissue regeneration. 19 When the ADSCs are cultured in a layer-by-layer paper-stacking scaffold, they create a spatiotemporal chemical gradient of the secreted factors and improve the signaling transduction inside the scaffold.…”

Cross-linking of a biopolymer-peptide co-assembling system

“…Cells may sense the looser and less cross-linked nanofibrous mesh (Fig. S3, Supplementary information) and therefore have difficulties attaching to the structure [53].…”

“…It is also likely that the differences in cell attachment and spreading can be a result from differences in surface stiffness [49,54] or roughness [53]. To test this hypothesis, atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation measurements were conducted to test the mechanical properties of all membranes.…”