title: A combinatorial approach towards the design of nanofibrous scaffolds for chondrogenesis.
abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional (3D) structure composed of proteinaceous fibres that provide physical and biological cues to direct cell behaviour. Here, we build a library of hybrid collagen-polymer fibrous scaffolds with nanoscale dimensions and screen them for their ability to grow chondrocytes for cartilage repair. Poly(lactic acid) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) at two different monomer ratios (85:15 and 50:50) were incrementally blended with collagen. Physical properties (wettability and stiffness) of the scaffolds were characterized and related to biological performance (proliferation, ECM production, and gene expression) and structure-function relationships were developed. We found that soft scaffolds with an intermediate wettability composed of the highly biodegradable PLGA50:50 and collagen, in two ratios (40:60 and 60:40), were optimal for chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells as determined by increased ECM production and enhanced cartilage specific gene expression. Long-term cultures indicated a stable phenotype with minimal de-differentiation or hypertrophy. The combinatorial methodology applied herein is a promising approach for the design and development of scaffolds for regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maqsood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.|Faculty of Engineering, University of Oporto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago André da Silva
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Febriyani
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Damanik
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bach
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quang Le
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wieringa
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Nanobiophysics, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bennink
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Blitterswijk
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Department of Tissue Regeneration, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moroni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006244:Hardness; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C447413:Col2a1 protein, mouse; D024043:Collagen Type II; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D003094:Collagen