The native extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of an integrated fibrous protein network and proteoglycan-based ground (hydrogel) substance. We designed a novel electrospinning technique to engineer a three dimensional fiber-hydrogel composite that mimics the native ECM structure, is injectable, and has practical macroscale dimensions for clinically relevant tissue defects. In a model system of articular cartilage tissue engineering, the fiber-hydrogel composites enhanced the biological response of adult stem cells, with dynamic mechanical stimulation resulting in near native levels of extracellular matrix. This technology platform was expanded through structural and biochemical modification of the fibers including hydrophilic fibers containing chondroitin sulfate, a significant component of endogenous tissues, and hydrophobic fibers containing ECM microparticles.
Jeannine Coburn , Matt Gibson, Christopher Laird, Lorenzo Moroni, Jennifer Elisseeff — Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Jeannine Coburn and Jennifer Elisseeff — Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Pierre Alain Bandalini — Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France
Hai-Quan Mao — Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Dror Seliktar — Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
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