The purpose of this review was to present basic forms of fibrous nanoparticles and the methods of their preparation. Particularly nanofibers in the form of threads, such as flat-surface structures or 3D wadding, were discussed. The most common methods for their preparation are electrospinning, melt-blowing, drawing, template synthesis and phase separation. Out of them, only the first two mentioned might be referred to as applicable in technology. Special attention was paid to the introduction of biocompatible and biodegradable nanofibers. These properties are understood as essential regarding the frequently discussed toxicological aspects of wide use of various nanostructures. There are few materials which are assumed to fulfil requirements for biocompatibility and biodegradability. The nanofibers produced from natural biopolymers, such as collagen, gelatin and cellulose, are compared with nanofibers of synthetic origin such as poly(glycolic acid) and poly(?-caprolactone).
- MeSH
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell therapy MeSH
- Electric Conductivity MeSH
- Fibroblasts MeSH
- Wound Healing * physiology drug effects MeSH
- Collagen MeSH
- Skin Diseases therapy MeSH
- Culture Techniques MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Hyaluronic Acid MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
- Molecular Conformation MeSH
- Nanofibers * history chemistry ultrastructure utilization MeSH
- Nose Diseases therapy MeSH
- Polyethylene Glycols chemistry MeSH
- Polymers MeSH
- Surface Properties MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Materials Testing MeSH
- Tissue Engineering * methods utilization MeSH
- Ulcer therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that uses a combination of cells, suitable biomaterials and bioactive molecules to engineer the desired tissue and restore lost function. These principles have quickly begun to spread to the therapy of multiple diseases, including depigmentation disorders. The most common depigmentation disorder is vitiligo, a disease with deep psychosocial implications. Thanks to their unique properties, electrospun polymeric nanofibers represent a material suitable for tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, they may be functionalized with platelets, cells that contain a wide spectrum of growth factors and chemokines. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the functionalization of polymeric nanofibers with platelets and their effects in melanocyte culture. The scaffolds were visualized using scanning electron microscopy, the metabolic activity and proliferation of melanocytes was determined using MTS assay and dsDNA quantification, respectively. Furthermore, the melanocytes were stained and visualized using confocal microscopy. The acquired data showed that poly-ε-caprolactone functionalized with platelets promoted the viability and proliferation of melanocytes. According to the results, such a functionalized scaffold combining nanofibers and platelets may be suitable for melanocyte culture.
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nanofibers MeSH
- Tissue Engineering * MeSH
- Blood Platelets MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
A wide range of drug-delivery systems are currently attracting the attention of researchers. Nanofibers are very interesting carriers for drug delivery. This is because nanofibers are versatile, flexible, nanobiomimetic and similar to extracellular matrix components, possible to be functionalized both on their surface as well as in their core, and also because they can be produced easily and cost effectively. There have been increasing attempts to use nanofibers in the construction of a range of tissues, including cartilage and bone. Nanofibers have also been favorably engaged as a drug-delivery system in cell-free scaffolds. This short overview is devoted to current applications and to further perspectives of nanofibers as drug-delivery devices in the field of cartilage and bone regeneration, and also in osteochondral reconstruction.
- MeSH
- Cartilage cytology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nanofibers chemistry MeSH
- Bone Regeneration physiology MeSH
- Drug Delivery Systems methods MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
Electrospun gelatin and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were prepared using needleless technology and their biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy have been characterized in vitro in cell cultures and in an experimental model of a skin wound. Human dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells seeded on the nanofibers revealed that both nanofibers promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. The effect of nanofibers on wound healing was examined using a full thickness wound model in rats and compared with a standard control treatment with gauze. Significantly faster wound closure was found with gelatin after 5 and 10 days of treatment, but no enhancement with PCL nanofibers was observed. Histological analysis revealed enhanced epithelialisation, increased depth of granulation tissue and increased density of myofibroblasts in the wound area with gelatin nanofibers. The results show that gelatin nanofibers produced by needleless technology accelerate wound healing and may be suitable as a scaffold for cell transfer and skin regeneration.
- MeSH
- Biocompatible Materials MeSH
- Wound Healing MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nanofibers MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The creation of an antibacterial material with triggerable properties enables us to avoid the overuse or misuse of antibacterial substances and, thus, prevent the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. As a potential light-activated antibacterial material, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) were prepared by electrospinning. TPP was chosen as an effectively reactive oxygen species (ROS) producer. Antibacterial tests on Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) showed the excellent light-triggerable antibacterial activity of the doped materials. Upon light irradiation at the wavelength corresponding to the TPP absorption peak (405nm), antibacterial activity dramatically increased, mostly due to the release of AgNPs from the polymer matrix. Furthermore, under prolonged light irradiation, the AgNPs/TPP/PMMA nanofibers, displayed enhanced longevity and photothermal stability. Thus, our results suggest that the proposed material is a promising option for the photodynamic inactivation of bacteria.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry MeSH
- Enterococcus faecalis growth & development MeSH
- Metal Nanoparticles chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Nanofibers chemistry ultrastructure MeSH
- Polymethyl Methacrylate chemistry MeSH
- Staphylococcus epidermidis growth & development MeSH
- Silver chemistry MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The breakdown of intestinal anastomosis is a serious postsurgical complication. The worst complication is anastomotic leakage, resulting in contaminated peritoneal cavity, sepsis, multi-organ failure and even death. In problematic locations like the rectum, the leakage rate has not yet fallen below 10 %. Such a life-threatening condition is the result of impaired healing in the anastomotic wound. It is still vital to find innovative strategies and techniques in order to support regeneration of the anastomotic wound. This paper reviews the surgical techniques and biomaterials used, tested or published. Electrospun nanofibers are introduced as a novel and potential material in gastrointestinal surgery. Nanofibers possess several, unique, physical and chemical properties, that may effectively stimulate cell proliferation and collagen production; a key requirement for the healed intestinal wound.
This article describes the characterization and application of collagenase-based chitosan nanofiber membranes with rat burns. Electrospun chitosan nanofibers were functionalized with clostridial collagenase using carbodiimide chemistry. The immobilized collagenase was characterized by enzyme activity, kinetic constants, and dry storage stability measurements using a Pz-peptide substrate. The apparent kinetic constants KM and Vmax of immobilized collagenase showed a high affinity for the peptide substrate compared to the free enzyme. Drying of chitosan membranes with immobilized collagenase ensured 98 % stability of enzyme activity after rehydration. The effect of collagenase immobilized on chitosan nanofibers on the burn of the rat model was compared with a control treatment with chitosan nanofibers. The healing of the wound with both materials was terminated after 30 days at the same time, although the collagenase wound healed more rapidly during healing. The scar area size after the application of collagenase-containing chitosan nanofiber membranes was 31.6 % smaller than when only chitosan nanofibers were used.
- MeSH
- Chitosan therapeutic use MeSH
- Clostridium histolyticum MeSH
- Enzymes, Immobilized MeSH
- Wound Healing * drug effects MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Skin injuries MeSH
- Microbial Collagenase * metabolism therapeutic use MeSH
- Nanofibers therapeutic use MeSH
- Pilot Projects MeSH
- Wounds and Injuries drug therapy pathology MeSH
- Enzyme Stability MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Animals MeSH
We tested collecting abilities of nanofibers prepared from polyvinyl alcohol and calcofluor (PVAC) for an odorological trace collection. Our study revealed that spectrum of odorological traces trapped on nanofibrous PVAC adsorbents, is more stable and reproducible compared to commonly used ARATEXTM. In addition, both PVA and PVAC nanofibers can adhere a large number of traces undetectable by ARATEX. Our results show that functionalization of commonly used adsorbent ARATEXTM with PVA and PVAC nanofibers can vastly increase the accuracy of trace collection and, thus, significantly improve forensic investigations.
