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3D Superelastic Scaffolds Constructed from Flexible Inorganic Nanofibers with Self‐Fitting Capability and Tailorable Gradient for Bone Regeneration
Author(s) -
Wang Lihuan,
Qiu Yuyou,
Lv Haijun,
Si Yang,
Liu Lifang,
Zhang Qi,
Cao Jianping,
Yu Jianyong,
Li Xiaoran,
Ding Bin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201901407
Subject(s) - materials science , scaffold , nanofiber , biomedical engineering , mesenchymal stem cell , chondrogenesis , ceramic , composite material , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract Repair of bone defects with irregular shapes or at soft tissue insertion sites faces a huge challenge. Scaffolds capable of adapting to bone cavities, generating stiffness gradients, and inducing osteogenesis are necessary. Herein, a superelastic 3D ceramic fibrous scaffold is developed by assembly of intrinsically rigid, structurally flexible electrospun SiO 2 nanofibers with chitosan as bonding sites (SiO 2 NF‐CS) via a lyophilization technique. SiO 2 NF‐CS scaffolds exhibit excellent elasticity (full recovery from 80% compression), fast recovery rate (>500 mm min −1 ), and good fatigue resistance (>10 000 cycles of compression) in an aqueous medium. SiO 2 NF‐CS scaffolds induce human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) elongation and differentiation into osteoblasts. In vivo self‐fitting capability is demonstrated by implanting compressed SiO 2 NF‐CS scaffolds into different shaped mandibular defects in rabbits, with a spontaneous recovery and full filling of defects. Rat calvarial defect repair validates enhanced bone formation and vascularization by cell (hMSC) histomorphology analysis. Further, subchondral bone scaffolds with gradations in SiO 2 nanofibers are developed, leading to a stiffness gradient and spatially chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. This work presents a type of 3D ceramic fibrous scaffold, which can closely match bone defects with irregular shapes or at different implant sites, and is promising for clinical translation.