Current limitations of electrospun scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering

4 Current limitations of electrospun scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering 

Many key factors must be considered and incorporated into material selection and fabrication process to ensure proper cartilage regeneration. For example, different scales of electrospun fibers (ie, nano- and microsize) exhibit both benefits and shortcomings for cartilage regeneration. Nanofibrous structure produces a high surface-area-to-volume ratio which promotes cellular adhesion and proliferation, ideal for 

2D cell culture. However, its intrinsically small pore size restricts cellular infiltration, limiting its use in 3D culture systems. In contrast, the microflbers allow for greater cellular penetration in 3D, but do not provide nanotiber-based topographical cues mimicking the ECM components present in the native tissue (Levorson et al 2013). 

Aghdam, R.M., Najarian, S., Shakhesi, S., Khanlari, S., Shaabani, K., Sharifl, S., 2012. Investigating the effect of PGA on physical and mechanical properties of electrospnn PCL/PGA blend nanoflbers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 124, 123-131. 

Ahrens, P.B., Solursh, M., Reiter, R.S., 1977. Stage-related capacity for limb chondrogenesis in cell culture. Developmental Biology 60, 69-82. 

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