DEFINITIONS
An interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of
engineering and life sciences toward the development
of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or
improve tissue function or a whole organ –Langer
and Vacanti
The use of a combination of cells, engineering and
materials methods, and suitable biochemical and
physico-chemical factors to improve or replace
biological functions.
•“The application of the principles and methods of
engineering and life sciences toward the fundamental
understanding of structure function relationships in
normal and pathological mammalian tissue and the
development of biological substitutes to restore,
maintain, or improve tissue function” –Y. C. Fung
•“The application of biological, chemical, and
engineering principles toward the repair, restoration,
or regeneration of living tissues using biomaterials,
cells, and factors alone or in combination.” –C. T.
Laurencin
A History of Tissue Engineering
1000 BC –Sushrutha performed nose transplants
16
th
Century –Tagliacozzi used a forearm flap for nose
reconstruction
17
th
Century –Tooth transplantation
18
th
Century –Skin & corneal transplantation
19
th
Century –advent of sterile technique and anesthesia
precipitated and emergence of reconstructive surgery
20
th
Century –proliferation of modern day transplantation
surgery and utilization synthetic materials for tissue repair
Late 20
th
Century –shift in scientific focus toward cell based
reconstructive therapies and using biological components the
building blocks from tissue regeneration
Post 1950 –Kidney, heart, lung, bone marrow
transplantation
1985 –concept of Tissue Engineering was articulated in
detail
1988 –First symposium on Tissue Engineering
Current Clinical Status
Grafting
method
Meaning Remark/ Drawbacks
AutograftTomovetissuefromone
sitetoanotherinthebody
Patientisalreadysufferingfromdisease,
thusgraftinginthesamebodywillbevery
painfullandmightleadtograftfailure.
Inoldagepatients,thegraftedcells/tissues
mightnotregenerateafterharvest.
AllograftFromanotherperson(same
species)
Thismethodsuffersfromissueslike,Donor
scarcityandimmunerejection.
Thedonorshouldbediseasefree.
XenograftTissue/organtakenfrom
otherspecies
Problemslikebiocompatibilityandimmune
rejectionarecommoninthismethod.
Moreoveranimaltissuesaremoreproneto
contaminationthanhumantissues,soafter
graftingthechancesofinfectionpersist.
Patients are mainly treated surgically by grafting methods, by three ways-autograft,
allograft and xenograft.
REPAIR RESTOREREGENERATE REPLACE
Need of Tissue Engineering
oDonor tissues and organs are in short supply
oTo minimize immune system response by using own cells or
novel ways to protect transplant
oULTIMATE AIM of Tissue Engineering…
Overview of Tissue Engineering Process
CHALLENGES OF TISSUE
ENGINEERING…
Challenges
1.Microenvironment :
The proper
reconstitution of the
microenvironment for
the development of basic
tissue function and
properties
-Cell communicates
through local
microenvironment
Challenges
Neighboring cells, ECM,
signaling molecules, cell
geometry, dynamics of
respiration, supply of
nutrients and removal of
metabolic products
It mimics the dynamic,
chemical and geometric
variables
Challenges
2. Scale-upto generate
numerically enough,
properly functioning
microenvironments to be
clinically meaningful
Challenges
3. Microcirculation-It
connects the
microenvironments in
every tissue
Metabolically active cells
are located within few
100m from a capillary
Capillaries connect every
cells to a source and sink
4. Automation of system
operation at a clinically
meaningful scale
Important aspects of tissue engineering
Tissue engineered scaffold
Stem cell source
Bioreactor for making construct
Preservation
For Tissue Engineering
Lecture Outline
What are Biomaterials?
What is the need to know them?
Scope of Biomaterials/ Scaffolds
Types of Scaffolds used in Tissue Engineering
Desirable Properties of Scaffolds for Tissue
Engineering
Advances in Biomaterials/ Scaffolds Technology
What are some of the challenges?
Suggested Books
Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications:
A Review of the Past and Future Trends -By Robert
L. Mauck
Biomaterials: An Introduction -By Roderic S. Lakes
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering -By Donglu
Shi
Scaffold: Concept and functions
Definition: It is a syntheticsupport material used to
replace part of a living system or to function in contact
with living tissue.
Materials for Biomedical Application
Scaffolds are 3D platforms for tissue engineering
Used clinically or experimentally in implantable
electronic devices, drug delivery systems, hybrid
artificial organs, bone substitutes, ligament and
tendon replacements, etc.
Role of Engineered Scaffolds
Allow cell attachment and migration
Deliver and retain cells & biochemical factors
Enable diffusion of vital cell nutrients and expressed
products
Exert certain mechanical and biological influences to
modify the behavior of the cell phase
Suitable Properties of Scaffolds
Chemical Properties-Biologically active
-Sterilizable
Physical Property -Mechanically supportive
Biological Property -Biocompatible
-Biodegradable
Chemical Properties
Suitable surface chemistry or bioactivityfor cell
attachment.
-to facilitate binding the biomaterial with cell surface
receptor.
-in case of synthetic polymers, if they lack suitable
surface chemistry then their surface modification is
performed.
-Eg.-RGD peptide inclusion
Sterilizable-without property loss
-to prevent contamination
Physical Property
Mechanical Strength
-it should withstand shear stress generated by biological
fluid flow
Elastic Limit
Break Point
Types of forces that can be applied to
Scaffolds
Tensile-a force tending to tear it apart
Compressive-A force that squeezes an object's
surfaces together and causes its mass to bulge.
Shear-Shearing forcesare unalignedforcespushing
one part of a body in one direction, and another part
the body in the opposite direction.
Torsion-torsionis the twisting of an object
due to an appliedtorque.
Stress-An applied force or system of forces that tends to
strain or deform a body.
Strain-change in dimension of a body under load.
it is expressed as the ratio of total deflection or change in
dimension to the original unloaded dimension.
It may be ratio of lengths, areas or volumes (thus is is
dimensionless).
It gives the extent to which a body is distorted when it is
subjected to a deforming force, when it is under stress.
Load-weight/ force applied
Terminology
Elastic limit-stress that can be applied to an elastic body
without causing permanent deformation.
The stress point at which a material will no longer return to
irs original shape if it is subjected to higher stress.
Brittle materials tend to break at or shortly past their elastic
limit, while ductile materials deform at stress materials
beyond their elastic limit.
Break point-A point of discontinuity, change or cessation.
Yield point-The point in the stress-strain curve at which
the curve levels off and plastic deformation begins to occur.
Terminology
Yield stress-Theyield strengthoryield pointof materialis
defined inengineeringandmaterials scienceas the stressat
which a material begins todeform plastically.
Prior to the yield point the material will deform elasticallyand
will return to its original shape when the applied stress is
removed. Once the yield point is passed, some fraction of the
deformation will be permanent and non-reversible.
Young's modulus-the slope of the elastic portion of stress-
strain curve, is a quantity often used to assess a material
stiffness.
Terminology
Mechanical properties
Ultimate strength-Maximum value of load bearing
after which it may get permanently deformed.
Tensile Strength-load bearing upto which a scaffold
could be elongated prior to breaking
-tested for fibrous materials
Compressive Strength-degree of compression
-tested for porous scaffold
+ suitable Tailor Properties like pore size, % porosity
Biological Property
Biocompatible
-The ability of a material to elicit an appropriate
biological response in a specific application by NOT
producing a toxic, injurious, or immunological
response in living tissue.
Biodegradable
-rate of scaffold degradation = rate of tissue formation
Synthetic polymers
More controllable from a compositional and materials
processing viewpoint.
Scaffold architecture are widely recognized as
important parameters when designing a scaffold
They may not be recognized by cells due to the
absence of biological signals.
Natural polymers
Natural materials are readily recognized by cells.
Interactions between cells and biological ECM are
catalysts to many critical functions in tissues
Advances in Scaffolds Technology
•Cell matrices for 3-D growth and tissue
reconstruction
•Biosensors, Biomimetic , and smart devices
•Controlled Drug Delivery/ Targeted delivery
•Biohybrid organs and Cell immunoisolation
What are some of the Challenges?
To more closely replicate complex tissue architecture
and arrangement in vitro.
To better understand extracellular and intracellular
modulators of cell function.
To develop novel materials and processing techniques
that are compatible with biological interfaces.
To find better strategies for immune acceptance.
Representative SEM micrograph of scaffolds prepared by different methods
Porous
Solvent casting
Salt leaching
Phase Separation
Gas Foaming
Fibrous
•Electrospining
Defined microstructure
•Rapid Prototyping
SCAFFOLD
Different ways of scaffold fabrication
SALT LEACHING
METHOD:
Thismethodinvolvesmixingwatersolubleporogen(e.g.,NaCl)particlesintoa
biodegradablepolymersolution.Themixtureisthencastintothemoldofthe
desiredshape.
Afterthesolventisremovedbyevaporationorlyophilization,theporogen
particlesareleachedoutbywatertoobtainaporousstructure.
ProcessParameters:
Size of the porogen
Amount of porogen added
Concentration of the polymer
Scaffold
Polymer Solution
Washing, Vaccum drying
Salt Leaching Process Overview:
ADVANTAGES:
Simple operation
Adequate control of pore size and porosity by
porogen/polymer ratio & Particle size of the added
porogen
Highly interconnected pores
LIMITATIONS:
Thermal degradation of polymer solution
Possibility of toxicity due to residual solvent
Non-uniform crystal shape of the porogen
Precise control of pore size and porosity is difficult
Gas Foaming
Gas foaming
Uses gas to form porous structure instead of organic
solvent systems
CO2 is the most widely used gas for creating pores
Incorporation of a particle leaching method on gas
forming help to get opened pores on the surface of a
scaffold
Phase Separation
•It is a process of separation of polymer solutions into two phases,
one with low polymer concentration and other with high polymer
concentration. The concentrated phase solidifies shortly after phase
separation, and forms the scaffold.
•The phase separation process forms a porous structure within a
three-dimensional network
•These scaffolds have high surface area-to-volume ratio to enhance
cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation function
•Freeze drying and freeze separation are the two methods which
work on the principle of Phase separation.
Control parameters
Type of Solvent
Type of polymer
Polymer concentration
Thermal treatment
Order of procedures
Polymer is dissolved in its suitable solvent and stirred until a
homogenous solution is obtained
The polymer solution is poured into plastic/ teflon molds and frozen
oGelationmediumforthesamplesis
preparedandchilled
oThefrozenpolymersolutionisimmersed
intheprechilledgelationmedium
oThegelledsamplesareplacedinavaccum
drieruntilthecompleteevaporationof
solventoccurs
oThepreparedscaffoldsarewashedusing
PBSandstored
Freeze Drying
Overview
WorksontheprincipleofSublimationof
frozensolvent
Frozenscaffoldsplacedunderlow
temperature(-110
o
C)vaccumconditions-
Lyophillization
Frozensolventremoved:aidsinpore
formation
Helpstomaintainbiologicalactivityof
scaffolds
Freeze Gelation
Freeze-Drying
A schematic diagram of Freeze drying process
Formation of pores after
sublimation of ice
Freezing
Lyophilization
Ice crystals pores
Aqueous biopolymer suspension
Reconstruction of ice crystal as
porogen in side the solid matrix
Requirement:
Removable phase (evenly distributed)
Solvent (should evaporate below -20˚C)
Important Parameters:
1.Temperature of freezing
2.Rate of cooling
3.Rate of lyophilization
4.Orientation inside the lyophilizer
5.Presence of Impurities
Advantages
Can be used in water
based systems
Helps to maintain
biological activity of
scaffolds
Minimum damage to
scaffold property
Disadvantages
High capital cost of
equipment
High energy cost
Long process time
Polymer Solution
Plastic Plate Storing at -20
o
C to -80
o
C
followed by vaccumdrying
Porous Scaffold
Immersing in pre cooled
Gelationmedium
A schematic diagram of Freeze gelation process
Freeze-Gelation
Advantages
•Simple procedure
•Process completes in lesser time
•Energy saving process (as no need
of furnace for heating)
•Lower residual solvent
Disadvantages
•Uneven pore distribution
•Brittle scaffolds
Advantages of Phase Separation:
Desirable technique to produce scaffolds in a size range
similar to that of natural collagen
High porosity ranges
Prepared scaffolds possess ability to incorporate
biomolecules
Limitation:
Residual solvents may affect cell growth
No control over microgeometryof scaffold structure
Electrospinning
MethodoffabricationofnanofibersusingElectrostaticfield.
•Used to form Nanofiber with diameter range 10-1000 nm.
Polymersolutionisforcedthroughacapillarydueto
interventionofhighvoltageresultinginformationofnanofibers
Bothrandomandorientedfiberscanbefabricateddepending
uponthecollector
Twomethodsareofusenamely“Needlebased”&“Freeliquid
surfacebased”
Electrospinning
Schematic representation of Electrospinning Process
Principle:Continuousstretchingofaviscoelasticjetderivedfromapolymer
solutionormeltbytheelectrostaticforces.Inelectrospinningasolidfiberis
generatedastheelectrifiedjetiscontinuouslyelongatedduetothe
electrostaticrepulsionsbetweenthesurfacechargesandtheevaporationof
thesolvent.
Process of Electrospinning:
1. Charging of the polymer fluid.
2. Formation of the cone jet (Taylor cone)
3. Thinning of the jet in the presence of an electric field
4. Instability of the jet
5. Collection of the jet
Electrospinning
Parameters Affecting Electrospinning
Polymer solution parameters
Molecular Weight/Viscosity
Conductivity
Concentration
Surface tension
Dielectric Constant
Solvent Volatility
Process Parameter
Electrostatic Potential
Electric Field Strength
Shape of Electric Field
Distance between Tip and
Collector (Working distance)
Feed Rate
Diameter of Orifice
Environmental Parameters
Temperature
Humidity
Air Velocity Inside Chamber
Pressure
Polymer Solution Parameters
MolecularWeightandSolutionViscosity
Whenapolymerofhighermolecularweightisdissolvedinasolvent,itsviscosity
willbehigherthansolutionofthesamepolymerbutofalowermolecularweight.
OneoftheconditionsnecessaryforEStooccurwherefibersareformedisthatthe
solutionmustconsistsofpolymerofsufficientmolecularweightandthesolution
mustbeofsufficientviscosity
Ifthesolutionismoreviscous,numberofbeadsdecreasesandnanofibersof
uniformmorphologyisobtained.
Solution Conductivity
Electrospinninginvolves stretching of the solution caused by repulsion of the
charges at its surface. Thus if the conductivity of the solution is increased, more
charges can be carried by the electrospinningjet.
The conductivity of the solution can be increased by the addition of ions e.g. salt
Polymer solution Parameters (Cont…)
Concentration
increased polymer concentration in solution leads to increased fiber diameter
SurfaceTension
Theinitiationofelectrospinningrequiresthechargedsolutiontoovercomeits
surfacetension
Thispropertydependsupontypeofpolymerusedandvoltageapplied
Ahigherviscositymeansthatthereisgreaterinteractionbetweenthesolventand
polymermoleculesthuswhenthesolutionisstretchedundertheinfluenceofthe
charges,thesolventmoleculeswilltendtospreadovertheentangledpolymer
moleculesthusreducingthetendencyforthesolventmoleculestocometogether
undertheinfluenceofsurfacetension.
Solvent Volatility
solvent should be volatile enough to form dry fibers
If solvent is less volatile the fibers will be wet and we will get film instead of
separated fibers, due to solvent deposition.
Anotherimportantparameterthataffectstheelectrospinningprocessisthevarious
externalfactorsexertingontheelectrospinningjet.
Voltage
Acrucialelementinelectrospinningistheapplicationofahighvoltagetothe
solution.Initiationoffiberformationisdependentuponthevoltageapplied.The
highvoltagewillinducethenecessarychargesonthesolutionandtogetherwith
theexternalelectricfield,willinitiatetheelectrospinningprocess
TheappliedelectricfieldalsogovernsthediameterofNanofibersformedduring
thisprocess.
Whentheelectrostaticforceinthesolutionovercomesthesurfacetensionofthe
solution.Generally,bothhighnegativeorpositivevoltageofmorethan6kVis
abletocausethesolutiondropatthetipoftheneedletodistortintotheshapeofa
TaylorConeduringjetinitiation.
DiameterofOrifice
importantincaseofneedlebasedelectrospinningmethod
Process Parameters
Temperature-The temperature of the solution has both the effect of increasing
its evaporation rate and reducing the viscosity of the polymer solution.
Eg.-Whenpolyurethaneiselectrospunatahighertemperature,thefibers
producedhaveamoreuniformdiameter.Thismaybeduetothelower
viscosityofthesolutionandgreatersolubilityofthepolymerinthesolvent
whichallowsmoreevenstretchingofthesolution.
Withalowerviscosity,theColumbicforcesareabletoexertagreater
stretchingforceonthesolutionthusresultinginfibersofsmallerdiameter.
Effect of Collector-There must be an electric field between the source
and the collector for electrospinningto initiate. Thus in most
electrospinningsetup, the collector plate is made out of conductive
material such as aluminum foil which is electrically grounded so that
there is a stable potential difference between the source and the
collector.
Process Parameters (Cont…)
Environmental Parameters
•Temperature-inside the electro-spinning chamber, temperature controls the
solvent volatility, and hence the finer formation.
•Humidity-is important to form dry and separated fibers. At high humidity, it is
likely that water condenses on the surface of the fiber when electrospinningis
carried out under normal atmosphere. As a result, this may have an influence on
the fiber morphology especially polymer dissolved in volatile solvents.
•Air Velocity Inside Chamber-this plays the key role in fiber collection on the
collector. The air flow rate should be sufficient enough to allow complete fiber
deposition on collector. It also regulates the established voltage between the
electrodes.
•Pressure-the rate with which the polymer solution is forced to come out of
needle tip is an important parameter as it directly affects the feed rate.
Multi-jet electrospinning
Construction:
A cylindrical electrode is used as an auxiliary electrode to cover the multi-
jet spinneret that stabilizes and optimize the electrospinningprocess.
The presence of external electrode dramatically reduces the fiber
deposition area, thus improving the fiberproduction rate.
A multi-jet electrospinningwith a cylindrical auxiliary electrode
Advantage:
Increases electrospinningthroughput by use of multi-jet spinnerets.
The fiberproductivity can be simply increased by increasing the jet
number.
Limitations:
Strong repulsion among the jets may lead to reduced fiberproduction
rate and poor fibre quality, which is the main obstacle to practical
application.
Interferences in multi-jet electrospinningare unable to be eliminated
completely, which is a barrier to its industrialization.
Successful operation of multi-jet electrospinningrequires regular
cleaning system to avoid the blockage of the needle nozzles. Setting
the cleaning device for each needle is a limitation for mass production
of nanofibers.
To reduce the jet repulsion, jets have to be set at an appropriate
distance, and a large space is required to accommodate the needles for
the mass nanofiberproduction.
Porous tubes electrospinning
Construction:
Porous tubes are used as spinnerets to improve the fiberproductivity.
The electrospinningprocess is based on conveying solutions inside
the tube channels.
The polymer solution under pressure is pushed through the tube wall
with many holes.
A porous polyethylene tube with a vertical axis is used to electrospin
nanofibers. The production rate is reported to be 250 times greater
than that of single needle electrospinning.
Limitations:
large variations in the fiberdiameter.
This setup can only produce 0.3 ~ 0.5 g/hrof nanofibersdue to
the small number of holes (fibergenerators) that can be
drilled per unit area. But the production rate can be easily
scaled up by increasing the tube length and the number of
holes
The space between holes can’t be reduced much because of the
electric field repulsion between the jets.
The strong jet interference in this setup results in nanofiber
belt instead of fiberweb
Upward needleless electrospinning
1. Two-layer-fluid electrospinning
Construction and working:
2 layers of fluid: lower layer –any ferromagnetic suspension and
upper layer-the polymer solution to be spun.
During electrospinning, when a normal magnetic field is applied to the
system, steady vertical spikes are formed perturbing the interlayer
interface. As a result of applying a high voltage to the fluid at the same
time, thousands of jetting ejected upward.
Limitation:
This upward electrospinningsystem requires a complicated setup
the resultant nanofibershad large fiberdiameter
Wide diameter variation
A two-layer-fluid electrospinningsetup
2. Free Liquid Surface Electrospinning
Invented by Jirsaket al in 2005.
It is a needleless electrospinningsetup that uses a rotating
roller as the nanofibergenerator.
The roller is immersed into a polymer solution and slowly
rotates, the polymer solution is loaded onto the upper roller
surface.
Upon applying a high voltage to the electrospinningsystem,
an enormous number of solution jets can be generated from
the roller surface upward.
This setup has been commercialized by ElmarcoCo with the
brand name “NanospiderTM”.
Setup of Free liquid surface electrospinning
Commercial Free Liquid Surface
ElectrospinningMachine
Nanofiberformation from roller surface
Advantages
Time efficient process
Complete removal of solvent
Diameter of the fibers can be formed to match the diameter of
ECM
Disadvantages
Energy consuming process-
High risk due to High voltage
Preparation of 3D scaffolds with internal pore network
involves proper design of collector
Electrospinning(in general):
Aligned and Non-aligned Nano fibers
Electrospinning is a straight forward method for creating longitudinally oriented
nanofibers.
However the process could be aided with some modifications to generate aligned
nanofibers.
Non-aligned nanofibers Aligned Nanofibers
Aligned Nano-fiber Preparation
1.By collecting electrospunfibers on rapidly rotating wheel
2.Using a collector consisting of two pieces of electrical
conductors separated by a gap.
3.Fabricating aligned yarn of nanofibersby rapidly oscillating a
grounded frame within the jet
4.Using a metal frame as a collector to generate parallel arrays of
nanofibres
5.Using magnetic field to produce aligned nanofibrousarrays
Schematic representation of electro
spinning set-up
(A)axle of rotation,
(B)polymer solution container,
(C) nozzle tip,
(D) encircling cylinder,
(E) Collector
(F) polymeric jet.
Use of Electrospun Nano fiber
Rapid Prototyping
Rapid Prototyping Method
1.Imaging of the tissue defect via scanning techniques like, CT, X-
ray or MRI to obtain basic information about the defect.
2.CAD solid model-Complex shapes of the scaffold which would
fill the defect (as per noted in the scan) are designed using CAD
software
3.‘.STL’ file is generated
4.Slicing the file into layers
5.Final build file
6.Fabrication of part-Scaffolds are fabricated using specific
technique
7.Post processing
STEPS in general-
Rapid Prototyping Method
Schematic Representation of Rapid Prototyping Method
Principle of SLA
SLA was developed in 1986 by 3D Systems
The process is based on the following principles:
A laser is used to design precise regions of scaffolds through photo-polymerization
Parts are built from a photo-curable liquid polymer that solidifies when sufficiently
exposed to a laser beam which scans across the surface of the resin
The structure is made layer by layer, each layer being scanned by the optical scanning
system and controlled by an elevation mechanism which lowers at the completion of each
layer
This is a direct write method that requires substantial processing time to produce a
scaffold of sufficient scale & resolution for complex tissue engineering applications.
Process of SLA
1.A liquid state photosensitive polymer solidifies when exposed to a
lighting source
2.A platform that can be elevated is located just one layer of thickness
below the surface
3.According to the cross section of the part (starting with bottom layer).
The laser scans the polymer layer above the platform to solidify the
polymer
4.The Platform is lowered into the polymer bath to the layer thickness
5.Steps 3 and 4 are repeated until the top layer of the part is generated
6.Post-curing and part finishing can then be performed
Schematic of SLA for polymer solution
Applications of SLA
Models for conceptualisation, packaging and presentation
Prototypes for design, analysis, verification and functional testing
Masters for prototype tooling and low volume production tooling
Patterns for investment casting, sand casting and moulding
Tools for fixture and tooling design and production tooling
Advantages of SLA
•High accuracy
•Surface quality is good
•Used for fabricating parts of varied sizes-from small pin to car dash board
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Process:-
1.Roller spreads powder over a platform.
2.According to structural information obtained from CAD, the scanner performs
polymerization and sintering of powder (thus first layer from the bottom is
formed). This is done by CO
2laser that provides concentrated heating beam
which is traced over tightly compacted layer of fine heat fusible powder.
3.Platform moves one step down and above steps are repeated till the desired
scaffold structure is obtained.
Advantages of SLS:
•Rapid manufacturing
•Large and complex functional parts can be manufactured
in less time
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Also known as Biological Particle Manufacturing (BPM)
x-y-z plotter is utilized which has vertical stepping capability.
Process:-
According to the scaffold structure designed using CAD, molten scaffold
material such as polymer or ceramics are ejected from a nozzle on to a
surface
Continuous deposition of molten material on a solidified surface leads to
formation of a particular 3D scaffold structure.
•Porosity is generally not as high as it is with other technique.
FDM Representation:
Parts of a FDM Machine
Raw material:The raw material mostly used in this process is generally
thermoplastic filaments or thermoplastic beads. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene) material, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and
investment casting wax are the raw materials that are used in the technique.
Supporting materials are also used along with the main raw material.
Extrusion nozzle: This is an important part of the apparatus from which metal gets
heated up and liquefied. The extrusion nozzle can be moved along the X-Y plane
only.
Stepper motors: The stepper motor helps to move the nozzle according to the CAM
(Computer-Aided Manufacturing) program code which defines the path of the
motion of nozzle.
Nozzle tip:This nozzle tip is the last point from which hot thermoplastic will get
deposited on the platform.
Drive wheels: The drive wheels will provide the required feed for the filaments so
that it properly moves into the liquefier.
Liquefier: This part of the set up liquefies the thermoplastic filament to molten state,
which is then deposited on the platform.
Platform: This is the base on which fused deposition model is produced.
Advantages of FDM
•Economical technique for making medium sized parts
•Parts having greater stability can be manufactured
•Low end, economical machines.
•No post curing required
•Variety of materials can be used
•Easy material changeover
Disadvantages
•Can not be applied for polymer solution
•Not good for small features, details and thin walls.
•Surface finish
•Supports required on some materials / geometries.
•Support design / integration / removal is difficult.
•Weak Z-axis.
•Slow on large / dense parts.
Three Dimensional Printing (3DP)
3Dprintersuseavarietyofverydifferenttypesofadditivemanufacturing
technologies,buttheyallshareonecorethingincommon:theycreateathree
dimensionalobjectbybuildingitlayerbysuccessivelayer,untiltheentireobjectis
complete.
Steps-
1.The file —a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file —is created with the use of a
3D modeling program, either from scratch or beginning with a 3D model
created by a 3D scanner. Either way, the program creates a file that is sent to the
3D printer.
2.Software slices the design into hundreds, or more likely thousands, of horizontal
layers.
3.3DP utilizes a scanning system that directs a writer towards specific positions on
a 2D plane.
4.Then a jet of chemical binder is applied towards the powder bed which binds the
powder.
5.The platform then steps down in vertical direction to write next layer.
6.These layers will be printed one atop the other until the 3D object is formed.
Advantages of 3DP
•Very fast
•Cost effective
•Manufacturing of coloured parts is also possible
3D Printers CAD designed structure
Three Dimensional Printing (3DP)
Lithography Techniques
1. Photolithography and Etching
•Photolithography is used to pattern substrates for formation of topographic
features and spatial features like, formation of micro channels, adhesive or non-
adhesive regions.
•Comprises the application of thin layers of photoresist followed by plasma
etching –this produces topographic or spatial features on substrate.
•For nanoscalefeatures-advanced lithographic processes are applied like-
Conformable Contact Lithography (CCL)
Deep reactive ion-etching (DRIE)
Lithography Techniques
2. High aspect ratio Photolithography
•A high energy beam is used to expose thick polymeric film to obtain
desired structure on the surface of Si wafers.
•Layers of thickness ranging from 25 µm to several hundred microns
are deposited and patterned to produce thicker layers of complex 3D
structure.
•Cells are dropped on previously printed successive layers. This allows printing of
complex 3D organs with computer-controlled system, by exact placing of different cell
types onto a polymer solution layer.
•The printer puts up solutions of cells or polymers into a specific place by the use of
specially designed software, and print two-dimensional (2D) tissue constructs.
•Addition for printing 3D constructs:Nontoxic, biodegradable, thermo-reversible gels can
be used which are fluid at 20°C and gel above 32°C, as a sort of “paper” on which tissue
structures can be printed, and the cells are the “ink.” Successive layers could be
generated just by dropping another layer of gel onto an already printed surface.
Cell Printing Technology
Advantages
Best method to control
pore size
Best method for
preparing complex
shaped scaffolds
Energy & Time Efficient
Disadvantages
Applicable to limited
polymers
Sophisticated methods
Characterization Techniques
PhysicochemicalMorphology
Porosity
Thermal
Hydrophillicity
Viscosity
Binding Energy
Biodegradation
Swelling ratio
Microscopy
Porosimetry
DSC, TGA
Contact angle
Viscometer
XPS
Treatment in SBF
solution
Structural Crystallinity
Composition
XRD
FTIR,
Mechanical Stress-Strainrelationship
Compressive strength (Porous)
Tensile strength (Fibrous scaffold)
Mechanical Tester
Biological Biocompatibility
Cellular organization
In vitro & in vivo
Fluorescence,
Confocal and FACS
Mechanical Characterization
Mechanical Characterization
Ultimate strength-Maximum value of load bearing after which it
may get permanently deformed.
Tensile Strength-also known as tension test, it is a test of load
bearing upto which a scaffold could be elongated prior to breaking
-tested for fibrous materials
Compressive Strength-It gives degree of compression of a
material. A compression test determines behaviour of materials
under crushing loads. The specimen is compressed and
deformation at various loads is recorded.
-tested for porous scaffold
Types of forces that can be applied to scaffolds
Tensile-a force tending to tear it apart
Compressive-A force that squeezes an object's
surfaces together and causes its mass to bulge.
Shear-Shearing forcesare
unalignedforcespushing one part of a body in
one direction, and another part the body in the
opposite direction.
Torsion-torsionis the twisting of an object
due to an appliedtorque.
Scaffold should withstand shear stress generated by biological fluid flow
A typical stress strain curve-
Elastic Limit
Break Point
Stress-An applied force or system of forces that tends to strain or
deform a body.
Strain-change in dimension of a body under load.
it is expressed as the ratio of total deflection or change in dimension to
the original unloaded dimension.
It may be ratio of lengths, areas or volumes (thus it is dimensionless).
It gives the extent to which a body is distorted when it is subjected to a
deforming force, when it is under stress.
Load-weight/force applied
Break point-A point of discontinuity, change or cessation.
Terminology
Elastic limit-stress that can be applied to an elastic body without causing
permanent deformation.
The stress point at which a material will no longer return to its original
shape if it is subjected to higher stress.
Brittle materials tend to break at or shortly past their elastic limit, while
ductile materials deform at stress materials beyond their elastic limit.
Yield point-The point in the stress-strain curve at which the curve levels
off and plastic deformation begins to occur.
Yield stress-The stressat which a material begins todeform plastically.
Prior to the yield point the material will deform elasticallyand will return
to its original shape when the applied stress is removed. Once the yield
point is passed, some fraction of the deformation will be permanent and
non-reversible.
Young's modulus-the slope of the elastic portion of stress-strain curve, is
a quantity often used to assess a material stiffness.
Terminology
Porous Scaffold
Fibrous Scaffold
SEM Images-Examples
Principle:TheTEMoperatesonthesamebasicprinciplesasthelight
microscopebutuseselectronsinsteadoflight.Whatcanbeseenwitha
lightmicroscopeislimitedbythewavelengthoflight.TEMsuse
electronas“lightsource”andtheirmuchlowerwavelengthmakesit
possibletogetaresolutionathousandtimesbetterthanwithalight
microscope.
Applications:
-The transmission electron microscope is used to characterize the
microstructure of materials with very high spatial resolution.
-Used to determine morphology, crystal structure and defects
-Crystal phases and composition can be determined
-Information about magnetic microstructure can be obtained
Morphology Analysis
2. TEM: Transmission Electron Microscope
Principle: The AFM consists of acantileverwith a sharp tip (probe) at its
end that is used to scan the specimen surface. When the tip is brought into
proximity of a sample surface,forces between the tip and the sample lead
to a deflection of the cantilever.
The cantilever is typicallysilicon orsilicon nitridewith a tipradius of
curvaturein the order of nanometers.
Deflection is measured using alaserspot reflected from the top surface of
the cantilever into an array ofphotodiodes.
Forces that are measured in AFM include mechanical contact force,van
der Waals forces,capillary forces,chemical bonding,electrostatic forces,
magnetic forces etc.
Morphology Analysis
3. AFM: Atomic Force Microscopy
Advantages:
-provides a three-dimensional surface profile.
-samples viewed by AFM do not require any special treatments (such as
metal/carbon coatings) that would irreversibly change or damage the
sample
-final image is free from charging artifacts.
-Most AFM modes can work perfectly well in ambient air or even a
liquid environment. This makes it possible to study biological
macromolecules and even living organisms.
Probe
Sample surface
Hydrophilicity
Contact Angle Measurement
The contact angle is the angle, conventionally measured through the
liquid, where a liquid/vapour interface meets a solid surface.
It quantifies the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid. A given system
of solid, liquid, and vapour at a given temperature and pressure has a
unique equilibrium contact angle.
The equilibrium contact angle reflects the relative strength of the liquid,
solid, and vapour molecular interaction.
Significance:
Determines amount of liquid a substance/scaffold can hold
A scaffold implanted in the body, comes in contact with the body fluids
Hydrophillicityof the scaffold is necessary for cell survival and cell
attachment
The equilibrium swelling ratio (Es) can be measured by the conventional
gravimetric method.
The dry weight (Wd) of scaffold is measured and then wet weight (Ws) by
immersing in simulated body fluid (SBF).
The equilibrium swelling ratio of the scaffolds is defined as the ratio of
weight increase (Ws-Wd) with respect to the initial weight (Wd) of dry
samples.
Es is calculated using the following equation:
Es= (Ws-Wd)/Wd
Water uptake percentage (Wu) can be measured using the equation:
Wu= (Ws-Wd)/ Ws x 100
Hydrophilicity
Swelling Behaviourand Water Uptake capacity
Applications
Glass Transitions
Melting and Boiling Points
Crystallization time and temperature
PercentCrystallinity
Heats of Fusion and Reactions
Specific Heat
Rate and Degree of Cure
Reaction Kinetics
Purity
Thermal Property
2. TGA: Thermal Gravimetric analysis
Principle: TGA is a method ofthermal analysisin which changes in
physical and chemical properties of materials are measured as a function of
increasing temperature (with constant heating rate), or as a function of time
(with constant temperature and/or constant mass loss).
TGA is commonly used to determine selected characteristics of materials
that exhibit either mass loss or gain due to decomposition, oxidation, or
loss ofvolatiles(such as moisture). Means TGA measures weight changes
in a material (subjected to temperature variation in a controlled
atmosphere).
TGA can provide information about physical phenomena, such assecond-
order phase transitions, vaporization,sublimation,absorption,adsorption,
anddesorption.
TGA can also be used to know about chemical phenomena such as
chemisorptions,desolvation(especiallydehydration),decomposition, and
solid-gas reactions (e.g.oxidationorreduction).
Applications of TGA-
1.materials characterization through analysis of characteristic
decomposition patterns
2.Studies of degradation mechanisms and reaction kinetics
3.Determination of organic content in a sample
4.Determination of inorganic (e.g. ash) content in a sample, which
may be useful for corroborating predicted material structures or
simply used as a chemical analysis.
5.It is an especially useful technique for the study ofpolymeric
materials,thermoplastics,thermosets,elastomers,composites,pla
stic films,fibers,coatingsandpaints
Viscosity
Viscosity of a fluid is measured by instrument known as Viscometer.
For liquids with viscosities which vary with flow conditions, an
instrument called a rheometer is used. Viscometers only measure under
one flow condition.
In general, either the fluid remains stationary and an object moves
through it, or the object is stationary and the fluid moves past it.
Principle: The drag caused by relative motion of the fluid and a surface is
a measure of the viscosity.
The flow conditions must have a sufficiently small value of Reynolds
number for there to be laminar flow.
Biodegradation
When a scaffold is incorporated inside the body, it comes in contact
with various biological fluids and enzymes and thus degrades with
time. And the space generated by scaffold degradation facilitates new
tissue formation.
A scaffold should not only degrade, it should “Bio” degrade, i.e. its
degradation should be accompanied by its removal from the body,
without generating any toxic effect to the surrounding tissues.
Degradation rate of scaffold= rate of tissue formation
Degradation testing is done by giving enzymes like lysozyme and
incubating in a fluid medium (PBS or SBF) for particular time period
and measuring change in weight.
Biocompatibility
The properties of materials being biologically compatible by not eliciting
local or systemic responses from a living system or tissue.
Biocompatibility is a series of tests that are used to determine the
potential toxicity resulting from contact of the components of medical
devices or combination products with the body.
Biocompatibility testing:
Invitro-SEM, Fluorescence microscopyCell morphology, attachment
and spreading
-Alamar blue assayCell proliferation
-MTT assaycell viability and metabolic activity analysis
Invivo-preclinical tests in animal models-creating artificial wound and
accessing the response generated by the implant.
Next step is clinical trial-performed by surgeons in hospitals
S.NoTECHNIQUE APPLICATION
1. SEM Sample dia, Distribution, Orientation,
Fiber Morphology (Shape, Roughness etc.)
2. TEM Fiber Morphology (Shape, Roughness etc.)
No need to dry the sample as in SEM.
3. FESEM Fiber Morphology (Shape, Roughnessetc.)
4. XPS (ESCA) Elemental composition of the surface (top 1–10nm
usually)
5. FTIR Important functional groups and to determine the extent
of hydrogen bonding.
6. NMR To identify functional groups, number and type of
chemical entities in a molecule.
7. DSC Melting temperatures, Glass transition temperature.
8. AFM Surface profile by means of cantilever reading.
9.POROSIMETER Measures the pore sizes of Nano fibers.
Stemcellsarecellsfoundinallmulticellularorganisms,that
candivide(throughmitosis)anddifferentiateintodiverse
specializedcelltypesandcanself-renewtoproducemorestem
cells.
Importance:
•Serveasinternalrepairsystem,dividingcontinuouslytoreplenish
othercells.
•Therapeuticapplications:Treatdiseaseslikecancer,Parkinson's
disease,spinalcordinjuries,Amyotrophiclateral
sclerosis,multiplesclerosis,andmuscledamage.
Uniqueproperties:
•Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long
periods
•These are unspecialized cells and can give rise to specialized cells
stem cell
What is a stem cell?
stem cell
(Identical to parent cell)
SELF-RENEWAL
(copying)
specialized cell
e.g. muscle cell, nerve cell
DIFFERENTIATION
(specializing)
Acellthathastheabilitytocontinuously
divideanddifferentiate(develop)into
variousotherkind(s)ofcells/tissuesofthe
body.
1 stem cell
Self renewal-maintains
the stem cell pool
4 specialized cells
Differentiation-replaces dead or damaged
cells throughout life
What is the need of self-renewal and
differentiation?
1 stem cell
Stem cell Potential for differentiation
Potency A measure of how many types of specialized cell a stem cell
can make
Totipotentcan give rise to a complete individual/ All cells of the body
Eg. Cells from early (1-3 days) embryos are totipotent
PluripotentCan make alltypes of specialized cells in the body
Eg. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent
MultipotentCan make multipletypes of specialized cells, but not all types
Eg. Tissue stem cells are multipotent
Unipotentstem cells can produce only one cell type, their own
but have the property of self-renewal, which distinguishes
them from non-stem cells
Eg. muscle stem cells
Important characteristics of Stem
cells
Self renewal-They are unspecialized cells capable of renewing
themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods
of inactivity.
Regeneration-They can be induced to become tissue-or organ-
specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the
gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and
replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however,
such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under
special conditions.
Types of stem cell:
1)Embryonic stem cells come from a five to six-day-old
embryo. They have the ability to form virtually any type of
cell found in the human body.
2)Embryonic germ cells are derived from the part of a human
embryo or fetus that will ultimately produce eggs or sperm
(gametes).
3)Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among
specialized or differentiated cells in a tissue or organ after
birth. They appear to have a more restricted ability to produce
different cell types and to self-renew.
4)Induced pluripotent(iPS) stem cells are adult cells of the
body which are reprogrammed to show pluripotency.
Embryonic stem (ES) cells
embryonic stem cells
blastocyst-a very early
stage of embryo
tissue stem cells
fetus, baby and throughout life
cells inside
= ‘inner cell mass’
outer layer of cells
= ‘trophectoderm’
Embryonic stem (ES) cells:
Where we find them
blastocyst
outer layer of cells
= ‘trophectoderm’
cells inside
= ‘inner cell mass’
embryonic stem cells taken from
the inner cell mass
culture in the lab
to grow more cells
fluid with nutrients
differentiated into all possible types of specialized cells
Embryonic stem cells (ESC)
Embryonic stem cells(ES cells) are pluripotentstem cellsderived
from theinner cell mass (ICM)of theblastocyst, an early-
stageembryo
Detail about Blastocyst: ESC source-
•The blastocystis a structure formed in the early development of mammals. It
possesses an inner cell mass (ICM) which subsequently forms the embryo. The
outer layer of the blastocyst consists of cells collectively called thetrophoblast.
This layer surrounds the inner cell mass and a fluid-filled cavity known as the
blastocoel. The trophoblast gives rise to the placenta.
•In humans, blastocyst formation begins about 5 days after fertilization, when a
fluid-filled cavity opens up in the morula, a ball consisting of a few dozen cells.
•The blastocyst has a diameter of about 0.1-0.2 mm and comprises 200-300 cells
following rapid cleavage (cell division). After about 1 day, the blastocyst embeds
itself into the endometrium of the uterine wall where it will undergo later
developmental processes, including gastrulation.
•The inner cell mass of blastocysts is a source of embryonic stem cells.
Embryonic stem cells
Characteristics:
Self-renewal in an undifferentiated state for long period
Maintenance of “Stemness” or pluripotent markes
Formation of teratomawhen induced in SCID mice
Maintenance of normal karyotype
Clonality
Stem cell marker expression (NANOG, Oct4)
Clinical Research:
Myocardium diseases: regeneration of damaged heart muscle by
injecting hESC–derived cardiomyocytesdirectly into the site of the
infarct [Laflamme MA et al., 2007]
Lung disease: alveolar type II epithelial cells derived from hESCs
(ATIICs) in a nude mouse model of acute lung injury (SpitalieriP.
et al. 2012)
Nervous system: oligodendrocyteprogenitor cells (GRNOPC1)
drivedfrom hESCscan improve functional locomotorbehaviour
after cell implantation in the damaged site, seven days after injury
in animal model
ESC Culture in laboratory
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) aregenerated by transferringcells from
apreimplantation-stage embryointo a plastic laboratory culture dish that
contains culture medium.
The inner surface of the culture dish is coated with mouse embryonic skin
cellsspecially treated so they will not divide. This coating layer of cells is
called afeeder layer.
Cells divide and spread over the surface of the dish.
the plated cells divide and multiply and crowd the dish, then they are removed
gently and plated into several fresh culture dishes. This process of re-plating or
subculturingthe cells is referred to as passage.
Once the cell line is established, the original cells yield millions of embryonic
stem cells. Embryonic stem cells that have proliferated in cell culture for a
prolonged period of time without differentiating, and arepluripotentare
referred to as anembryonic stem cell line.
Importance of Feeder layer: The mouse cells in the bottom of the culture
dish provide the cells a sticky surface to which they can attach. Also, the
feeder cells release nutrients into the culture medium.
Disadvantage of feeder layer: there is always a risk that viruses or other
macromolecules in the mouse cells may be transmitted to the human cells.
Differentiation of Embryonic stem cells
THREE GERM LAYERS
Differentiation of ESCs
When removed from the factors that maintain them as
stem cells, ES cells will differentiate and, under
appropriate conditions, generate progeny consisting of
derivatives of the three embryonic germ layers:
mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm
General approaches of differentiation:
1.ES cells are allowed to aggregate and form three-
dimensional colonies known as embryoidbodies (EBs)
2.ES cells are cultured directly on stromal cells, and
differentiation takes place in contact with these cells
3.involves differentiating ES cells in a monolayer on
extracellular matrix proteins
ESCs differentiation
Tissue stem cells
or
Adult Stem Cells
Tissue stem cells:
Where we find them
muscles
skin
surface of the eye brain
breast
intestines (gut)
bone marrow
testicles
Adult Stem Cells (ASCs)
Characteristics:
Have potential to self-renew for a long time
they can give rise to mature cell types that have characteristic
morphologies and specialized functions along multiple lineages
Types of ASCs:
Hematopoietic stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells
Other stem cells: Neural stem cells, Endothelial stem cells,
Intestinal stem cells, Olfactory adult stem cells, Mammary stem
cells
Sources:
Bone marrow, umbilical cord and cord blood, adipose tissue,
deciduous teeth, brain, peripheral blood, amniotic fluid and
membrane, synovium, placenta
3/3/2017 Dr. Hariom Yadav
Adult stem cells
MULTIPOTENT
blood stem cell
found in
bone marrow
differentiation
only specialized types of blood cell:
red blood cells, white blood cells,
platelets
Haematopoieticstem cells (HSCs)
HSC
committed progenitors
neutrophil
NK cell
erythrocytes
dendritic cell
plateletsmegakaryocyte
macrophage
eosinophil
basophil
B cell
T cell
specialized cells
bone marrow
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
MSC
bone marrow
committed progenitors
Bone (osteoblasts)
Cartilage (chondrocytes)
Fat (adipocytes)
specialized cells
Neural stem cells (NSCs)
NSC
brain
committed progenitors specialized cells
Neurons
Interneurons
Oligodendrocytes
Type 2 Astrocytes
Type 1 Astrocytes
Gut stem cells (GSCs)
GSC
Small intestine
committed progenitors
Paneth cells
Columnar cells
Goblet cells
Endocrine cells
specialized cells
Induced pluripotent(iPS)
stem cells
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)
cell from the body
‘genetic reprogramming’
= add certain genes to the cell
induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell
behaves like an embryonic stem cell
Advantage: no need for embryos!
all possible types of
specialized cells
culture iPS cells in the lab
differentiation
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)
cell from the body (skin)
genetic reprogramming
pluripotent stem cell
(iPS)
differentiation
Transdifferentiation
Certain adult stem cell types can differentiate into cell
types seen in organs or tissues other than those expected
from the cells' predicted lineage. This reported
phenomenon is called transdifferentiation
Example -brain stem cells that differentiate into blood cells
or blood-forming cells that differentiate into cardiac
muscle cells.
Stem cells at home:
The stem cell niche
Stem cell niches
Direct contact Soluble factors Intermediate cell
stem cell
niche
Niche
Microenvironment around stem cells that provides
support and signals regulating self-renewal and
differentiation
Stem Cells in Tissue
Engineering
Challenges in Stem cell
research
It is uncertain that human embryonic stem cells in
vitrocan give rise to all the different cell types of the
adult body.
It is unknown if stem cells cultured in vitro(apart from
the embryo) will function as the cells do when they are
part of the developing embryo.
Stem cell development or proliferation must be
controlled once placed into patients.
Possibility of rejection of stem cell transplants as
foreign tissues is very high.
Contamination by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and
Mycoplasmapossible.
Cell seeding on scaffold
Cell seeding on 3D scaffold
It is process of dissemination of isolated cells within a
scaffold
To maximize the utilization of donor cells
To improve proliferation
To minimize time in suspension culture for anchorage-
dependent and shear-sensitive cells
To achieve high cell density and uniform cell distribution
Methods of cell seeding:
1. Static method
2. Dynamic method
Static seeding:
•Sterilization of
scaffold
•Trpsinizationof
cells to be seeded
SEM image of cell
seeded scaffold
Disadvantages:
•Low seeding efficiency
•Non-uniform cell
distribution within scaffold
•Ineffective convection
Incubate at 37
0
C in
humidified incubator
Incubate cell suspension
of concentration (7-
15x10
4
) on scaffold
Incubate seeded scaffold
for 2 hr for attachment
and add media
a)Gravitational Seeding
-It is simply depositing cell suspension on top of the
scaffold and allowing the cells to settle by gravity, and
subsequently attach to the surface.
-Commonly known as Static Seeding.
-Advantage: Simple method
-Disadvantage: low efficiency and penetration
b) Centrifugation Seeding:
-In this method cells are seeded by applying a centrifugal force to the scaffold to
assist the penetration of cells.
-Advantages: better cell insertion and packing, as well as a more uniform
distribution .
-Disadvantages: difficulties in controlling scaffold orientation during seeding,
and effect of centrifugal forces on cell function.
c) Low Pressure Seeding:
-This method involves placing the desired cell population and the scaffolds into
sterile vacuum desiccators and applying vacuum to lower pressure in the chamber
in order to remove air from the scaffold and so enhance cell entry into the
scaffold.
-Advantage: ease of use and application to multiple types of porous scaffolds
-Disadvantages: cell function may be changed due to low pressure atmosphere and
their exists chances of genetic mutation.
d) Magnet-Assisted Seeding:
-To enhance the entry of cells into a porous scaffold, magnetic particles are
attached to the desired cell population and a magnetic force is applied across the
scaffold to physically pull the cells into the pores.
Process:
-The desired cell population is separated from a heterogeneous mixture by the use
of magnetic nanoparticles. In this process, the desired cells are characterized by
particular surface receptors which are then conjugated to magnetic particles such
as supermagneticiron micro or nanobeads.
-These nanoparticle-conjugated cells are then seeded onto the scaffold and a
magnet is placed below this system.
-The nanoparticle-conjugated cells get attracted (pulled) towards the magnet and
align themselves in the scaffold surface accordingly.
Advantages: Increased efficiency of scaffold seeding and selectivity of the
desired cell type if antibodies are used to attach the magnetic particles to the
cells.
The ability to manipulate cells without direct physical contact and at a
distance, as well as the ability to localize the cells in one area
Disadvantages: Possibility of nonspecific binding of magnetic particles to
undesired cells
Application of magnetic particles and subsequent force can change the levels of
gene expression in the target cells.
Top view of the scaffold showing
pattern arrangement of cells
Magnetic
nanoparticle
labeled cells
Porous Scaffold
Magnet
Incubation
Example of Magnet assisted seeding and its application in tissue engineering
Blood vessel development by seeding magnetic nanoparticle labeled smooth muscle cells
(SMCs) and Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
References
Dai, W et al. “Application of low-pressure cell seeding system in tissue
engineering.” BioScienceTrends. 2009; 3(6): 216-219.
Dar, A et al. “Optimization of cardiac cell seeding and distribution in 3D porous
alginate scaffolds.” BiotechnolBioeng. 2002; 80(3): 305-12.
Sasaki, T et al. “Magnetic nanoparticles for improving cell invasion in tissue
engineering.” J Biomed Mater Res A. 2008; 86(4): 969-78.
Dynamic seeding
Methods:
Rotator or shaker
Spinner flask
Perfusion flow
Rotational vacuum
Advantages:
Higher seeding efficiency and uniform cell
distribution
Convective transport for seeding
Types of bioreactors
Spinner flask
Rotating vessel
Perfusion system
Hollow fibrebioreactor
Spinner flask
Cells seeded on 3D scaffold are
suspended via wire in large volume of
culture medium.
Typically, spinner flasks are around
120 mL in volume (although much
larger flasks of up to 8 litres have
been used), Culture medium is
stirred using a magnetic bar at a
typical rotation of 50r/min.
Advantages:
•Reproducible and easy to use
•Improve cell viability, proliferation
and distribution throughout construct
Limitations:
•Nutrient diffusion
•Application of shear stress
Spinner flask
Rotating Vessel
Rotating wall-vessel (RWV)
designed by Schwarz and colleagues
at NASA Johnson space centre.
They based the bioreactor on two
basic design principles: (1) solid
body rotation (2) a silicone rubber
membrane for oxygenation.
The solid body rotation is a vessel
that rotates horizontally and is
filled with culture medium.
This method simulates some
aspects of microgravity by reducing
shear and turbulence associated
with stirred bioreactors.
Types:
Slow turning lateral vessel
(STLV)
High-aspect ratio vessel
(HARV)
Perfusion Bioreactor
Perfusion bioreactors have been used to deliver cells to a
3D engineered construct via controlled flow, which
reverses back and forth within the construct
In flow perfusion culture, the culture medium is forced
through the internal porous network of the scaffold. This
can mitigate internal diffusionallimitations present in 3-D
scaffolds to enhance nutrient delivery to and waste removal
from the cultured cells.
Flow applysmechanical stress to the cultured cells.
The enhanced mass transfer, homogeneous cell
distribution and high seeding efficiency
Perfusion Bioreactor
a) Flow perfusion culture
b) The cassette with scaffold is sealed in place
by two neoprene O-rings above and below
the cassette
c) This three-part assembly (cassette and
two O-rings) is then held in place by a
Plexiglas screw top. Silicone tubing then
connects each of these flow chambers to the
pump and reservoir systems.
Hollow fibre bioreactor
A hollow fibre bioreactor consists of a bundle of
hollow fibres encased in a cylindrical shell with ports
for flow of media around the fibres.
It is a two compartment module with an intracapillary
and an extracapillaryspace
Criteria to define MSCs
1.Adherence to plastic
2.Specific surface antigen (Ag) expression
3.Multipotentdifferentiation potential
Adherence to plastic
MSCs adhere to plastic tissue culture dish or flask
surface and attain flattened morphology.
Un adhered/ floating cells Adhered MSCs
Round morphology Flatenedand elongated
structure
Specific surface antigen (Ag) expression
203
Analysis by Flow Cytometry(for MSCs)
Positive
expression
CD105endoglin
Originally recognized by the MAb
SH2
CD73ecto5’nucleotidase
Originally recognized by the MAb
SH3 and SH4
CD90known as Thy-1
Negative
expression
CD45pan-leukocyte marker
CD34marks primitive hematopoietic
progenitors and endothelial cells
CD14Prominently expressed on monocytes
and macrophages(the most likely
hematopoietic cells to be found in an
MSC culture)
CD19markers of B cells that may also
adhere to MSC in culture and remain
vital through stromal interactions
Multipotentdifferentiation
potential
MSCs are able to differentiate into multiple lineages
including-
Osteocytes
Chondrocytes
Adipocytes
When cultured in specific differentiation media
Cell Attachment & Morphology
SEM analysis
Observing the images of cells grown scaffold surface provides
information about cellular morphology, attachment and growth.
Process:
•Cell seeded scaffold are taken and washed with PBS (Phosphate
buffer saline).
•Then cells are fixed using freshly prepared 2% glutaraldehyde
solution.
•Next step is dehydration which is performed by washing with 35%,
50%, 70%, 90% and 100% ethanol gradient for 5 min each.
•Then the constructs are coated with gold or platinum by sputter
coating and observed under SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)
Cell Proliferation assay
Alamarblue assay
Principle:
AlamarBlue Reagent is a non-toxic, water-soluble resazurin
dye that yields a fluorescent signal and a colorimetric change
when incubated with metabolically active cells.Absorbance at
570nm and 600nm yields cell proliferation rate.
Process:
DNA Quantification
Amount of DNA in a sample gives indication of cell growth on the
scaffold.
This can be assessed Quantitatively and qualitatively.
Quantitative-by Real time PCR analysis, which directly measures
amount of target gene in the sample.
Qualitatively-using Hoechst dye (for labelling DNA) followed by
fluorometricanalysisto yield count of cells showing fluorescence.
Cell Proliferation assay
Live dead cell count
Fluorescence
Cells are fixed on scaffold using 1.5% paraformaldehydesolution.
Then various dyes are used to stain different cellular components. These are
then examined under Fluorescence or confocalmicroscope to yield images
according to stains used.
Dye name Stains
Calcein-AM Live cells
EtBr(EthidiumBromide) Dead cell nucleus
Phalloidin Cell cytoskeleton
DAPI Nucleus of live cells
PropidiumIodide (PI) Dead cell staining
Hoechst Nucleus of live cells
MitoRed Mitochondria
Flow Cytometry
Principle:
Cells (or other particles) are illuminated as they flow
individually in front of a light source and then get detect and the
signal from those cells is correlated that result from the
illumination.
Applications:
1.Cell counting: Each event of illumination is counted as one
cell and thus total events give number of cells in the
suspension.
2.Cell sorting: When cell suspension is ejected into air, it
will form droplets a droplet containing a cell is applied
either a negative or positive charge and sorted by passing
through an electric field.
Types of Interactions
Scaffold influences cell viability, growth, function and motility.
Types of cellular interaction under influence of scaffold
1.Adhesion
2.Migration
3.Aggregation
i.Cell attachment-cells attach to the surface of
the scaffold and form monolayer on the
scaffold
ii.Cell spreading-surface attached cells divide
and proliferate to cover the surface of the
scaffold. The cells also penetrate inside the
interconnected pores of scaffold.
iii.Focal adhesion-Focal adhesions are large,
dynamic protein complexes through which the
cytoskeleton (protein present in the cell outside
the cytoplasm e.gintigrin, actin, myosin) of a
cell connects to the extracellular matrix
(scaffold).
Techniques to determine cell adhesion
Sedimentation-detachment assay
i) sedimentation of cells onto a surface
ii) incubation of the sedimentedcells in
culture medium for some period of time
iii) detachment of loosely adherent cells by
removal of the culture medium and
repeated washing
The extent of adhesion is determined by
the number of cells that remain associated
with the surface or the number of cells
that were extracted with washes.
Techniques to determine cell adhesion
Centrifugation assay
i) Seeding of cells onto a scaffold surface
ii) incubation of the cells in culture medium
for some period of time
iii) the plate is inverted and subjected to a
controlled detachment force by
centrifugation.
The extent of cell attachment is then
quantified
Techniques to determine cell adhesion
Fluid-flow chambers
Fluid mechanical forces are utilized to produce cell detachment in a
well-controlled and quantifiable manner.
i) Cell suspension is injected into the chamber, and the cells are
permitted to settle onto the surface of scaffold and adhere.
ii) After incubation the fluid is forced between two parallel plates and
non adherent cells are removed with the flow of fluid, while adherent
cells remain on the surface, which can be quantified.
2. Migration
Migration of individual cells within a tissue is critical for formation
of the architecture of organs.
In tissue engineering, the ability of cells to move, in association with
scaffold surface or through other cells, will be an essential part of
new tissue formation or regeneration.
Techniques used to determine cell migration are-
1.Under agarosetest
2.Filter assaying
3.Direct visualization
Techniques to determine cell migration
Under agarosetest
i)a cell suspension is placed in a well of
semisolid agarose
ii)motile cells crawl on the solid substrate
underneath agarose.
Filter Assay
i)cell suspension is placed on a filter with small
pores
ii)motile cells crawl through the pores of the filter
material to the other side, where they are
detected.
Direct visualization assays
-the paths of movement of many individual cells are
directly observed for cells migrating on
surfaces and within solid gels
3. Aggregation
Important in tissue development
It correlates cell-cell interaction with cell differentiation, viability
and migration for subsequent tissue formation.
Aggregate morphology allows re-establishment of cell-cell contact
in tissues, thus cell function and survival rate are enhanced in
aggregate culture.
Formation of aggregates-
by incubating cells in suspension and adding serum proteins to
promote cell aggregation.
Techniques used to determine aggregation are-
1.Direct visualization
2.Electronic particle counter
3.Aggregometers
Techniques to determine aggregation
1.Direct visualization –
Monitoring aggregate size to determine extent of aggregation
2.Electronic particle counter -
Invented by Moscona, determines kinetics of aggregation by
measuring aggregate size distribution over time.
This procedure utilizes computer image analysis to follow
disappearance of single cells with time.
3.Aggregometers-
Small angle light scattering through rotating sample cuvettesare
used to produce continuous record of aggregate growth.
From Chapter 4
Book-Tissue Engineering Principles for the design of
replacement organs and Tissues
W. Mark Saltzman