title: A Controlled Design of Aligned and Random Nanofibers for 3D Bi-functionalized Nerve Conduits Fabricated via a Novel Electrospinning Set-up.
abstract: Scaffolds made of aligned nanofibers are favorable for nerve regeneration due to their superior nerve cell attachment and proliferation. However, it is challenging not only to produce a neat mat or a conduit form with aligned nanofibers but also to use these for surgical applications as a nerve guide conduit due to their insufficient mechanical strength. Furthermore, no studies have been reported on the fabrication of aligned nanofibers and randomly-oriented nanofibers on the same mat. In this study, we have successfully produced a mat with both aligned and randomly-oriented nanofibers by using a novel electrospinning set up. A new conduit with a highly-aligned electrospun mat is produced with this modified electrospinning method, and this proposed conduit with favorable features, such as selective permeability, hydrophilicity and nerve growth directional steering, were fabricated as nerve guide conduits (NGCs). The inner surface of the nerve conduit is covered with highly aligned electrospun nanofibers and is able to enhance the proliferation of neural cells. The central part of the tube is double-coated with randomly-oriented nanofibers over the aligned nanofibers, strengthening the weak mechanical strength of the aligned nanofibers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong In
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Practicing, Woori Convalescent Hospital, Andukwon-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 54914, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae In
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ludwig Erik
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.affiliation: Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.|Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, College of Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chan Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.|Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, College of Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Baekjaedae-ro, Dukjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Sang
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004867:Equipment Design; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*