Biomimetic Nanofibrous 3D Materials for Craniofacial Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Repair of large bone defects using biomaterials-based strategies has been a significant challenge due to the complex characteristics required for tissue regeneration, especially in the craniofacial region. Tissue engineering strategies aimed at restoration of function face challenges in material selection, synthesis technique, and choice of bioactive factor release in combination with all aforementioned facets. Biomimetic nanofibrous (NF) scaffolds are attractive vehicles for tissue engineering due to their ability to promote endogenous bone regeneration by mimicking the shape and chemistry of natural bone extracellular matrix (ECM). To date, several techniques for generation of biomimetic NF scaffolds have been discovered, each possessing several advantages and drawbacks. This spotlight highlights two of the more popular techniques for biomimetic NF scaffold synthesis: electrospinning and thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS), covering development from inception in each technique as well as discussing the most recent innovations in each fabrication method.

Keywords: Craniofacial bone tissue engineering; Electrospinning 3D scaffolds; Endogenous bone regeneration; Nanofibrous 3D scaffolds; Thermally induced phase separation.

Figure 1.

Schematic for the novel approach of generating 3D electrospun scaffolds from 2D mats via the thermally-induced (nanofiber) self-agglomeration followed by freeze drying. Reproduced with permission from [27]. Copyright 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Figure 2.

H&E staining of the repaired calvarias after 6 weeks of implantation in vivo. Reproduced with permission from [28]. Copyright 2016 Elsevier Ltd.

Figure 3.

TISA-PCL scaffolds morphology before (A-C low to high magnification) and after (D-F low to high magnification) even coating with HA. Reproduced with permission from [30]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier Ltd.

Figure 4.

Morphology of GF (A), GF-HA low magnification (B) and GF-HA high magnification (C), as shown by SEM. Reproduced with permission from [39]. Copyright 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Figure 5.

SEM images showing morphology of ‘one pot’ porogen-free TIPS scaffolds at different magnifications. Reproduced with permission from [42]. Copyright 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.