title: Exploring the Potential of Starch/Polycaprolactone Aligned Magnetic Responsive Scaffolds for Tendon Regeneration.
abstract: The application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in tissue engineering (TE) approaches opens several new research possibilities in this field, enabling a new generation of multifunctional constructs for tissue regeneration. This study describes the development of sophisticated magnetic polymer scaffolds with aligned structural features aimed at applications in tendon tissue engineering (TTE). Tissue engineering magnetic scaffolds are prepared by incorporating iron oxide MNPs into a 3D structure of aligned SPCL (starch and polycaprolactone) fibers fabricated by rapid prototyping (RP) technology. The 3D architecture, composition, and magnetic properties are characterized. Furthermore, the effect of an externally applied magnetic field is investigated on the tenogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells (ASCs) cultured onto the developed magnetic scaffolds, demonstrating that ASCs undergo tenogenic differentiation synthesizing a Tenascin C and Collagen type I rich matrix under magneto-stimulation conditions. Finally, the developed magnetic scaffolds were implanted in an ectopic rat model, evidencing good biocompatibility and integration within the surrounding tissues. Together, these results suggest that the effect of the magnetic aligned scaffolds structure combined with magnetic stimulation has a significant potential to impact the field of tendon tissue engineering toward the development of more efficient regeneration therapies.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark-Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco GMR, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark-Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco GMR, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Márcia T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark-Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco GMR, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bañobre-López
authors.affiliation: INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paz
authors.affiliation: INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark-Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco GMR, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuela E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013213:Starch / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D019063:Tenascin / Q000378:metabolism; D013710:Tendons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D011091:Polyesters; D019063:Tenascin; C492325:starch polycaprolactone; C000499:ferric oxide; D013213:Starch
keywords: adipose stem cells; magnetic nanoparticles; magnetic scaffolds; tendons; tissue engineering