title: Fabrication and Pilot In Vivo Study of a Collagen-BDDGE-Elastin Core-Shell Scaffold for Tendon Regeneration.
abstract: The development of bio-devices for complete regeneration of ligament and tendon tissues is presently one of the biggest challenges in tissue engineering. Such device must simultaneously possess optimal mechanical performance, suitable porous structure, and biocompatible microenvironment. This study proposes a novel collagen-BDDGE-elastin (CBE)-based device for tendon tissue engineering, by the combination of two different modules: (i) a load-bearing, non-porous, "core scaffold" developed by braiding CBE membranes fabricated via an evaporative process and (ii) a hollow, highly porous, "shell scaffold" obtained by uniaxial freezing followed by freeze-drying of CBE suspension, designed to function as a physical guide and reservoir of cells to promote the regenerative process. Both core and shell materials demonstrated good cytocompatibility in vitro, and notably, the porous shell architecture directed cell alignment and population within the sample. Finally, a prototype of the core module was implanted in a rat tendon lesion model, and histological analysis demonstrated its safety, biocompatibility, and ability to induce tendon regeneration. Overall, our results indicate that such device may have the potential to support and induce in situ tendon regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandri
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, II Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Bologna, Italy; Nano-Biotechnology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, II Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filardo
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Technology Innovation Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, II Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Bologna, Italy; Nano-Biotechnology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, II Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elizaveta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kon
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panseri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montesi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iafisco
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sprio
authors.affiliation: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Preclinical and Surgical Studies, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy; Laboratory of Biocompatibility, Technological Innovations and Advanced Therapies, Department RIT Rizzoli-Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giavaresi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Preclinical and Surgical Studies, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute , Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Preclinical and Surgical Studies, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy; Laboratory of Biocompatibility, Technological Innovations and Advanced Therapies, Department RIT Rizzoli-Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fini
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento , Lecce , Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento , Lecce , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sannino
authors.affiliation: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Maurilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcacci
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council , Faenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tampieri
keywords: biomimetic scaffold; collagen; elastin; ligament; tendon; tissue regeneration