Potential of the MFC concept for biomedical applications

As mentioned above, the suggested approach for the preparation of MFCs and NFCs offers the possibility to isolate micro- or nanofibrils as a separate material, which have many opportunities for biomedical and technical applications. In the latter case, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the preparation of gas and/or liquid nanofilters as nonwoven textiles is a possibility. 

Much more challenging seems to be their biomedical application, for instance, in the field of regenerative medicine. The need for scaffold materials suitable for tissue engineering 

Cells are often implanted or seeded into an artificial structure capable of supporting three-dimensional tissue formation. These structures, typically called scaffolds, are often critical, both ex vivo and in vivo, to recapitulating the in vivo milieu and allowing cells to influence their own microenvironments. Scaffolds usually serve at least one of the following purposes (i) allow cell attachment and migration, (ii) deliver and retain cells and biochemical factors, (iii) enable diffusion of vital cell nutrients and expressed products, and (iv) exert certain mechanical and biological influences to modify the behavior of the cell phase. 

Certain criteria were considered necessary for an ideal matrix for cell transplantation. The matrix should be biocompatible, not inducing a tissue response in the host, and completely resorbable leaving a totally natural tissue replacement following degradation of the polymer. The matrix should be easily and reliably reproducible into a variety of shapes and structures that retain their shape when implanted. As a vehicle for cell delivery, the matrix should provide mechanical support to maintain a space for tissue to form [125]. The interaction of the surface of the matrix with cells should support differentiated cell function and growth, and in certain situations, should induce ingrowth of desirable cell types from surrounding tissue. 

In addition to the chemical properties of the material, physical properties such as surface area for cell attachment are essential. Various methods of creating pores in these materials to increase sirrface area are used. Scaffolds formed using the different techniques, which include fiber bonding, solvent casting/particulate leaching, gas foaming and phase separation are known, which result in different porosity, pore size, and the promotion of tissue growth [127]. 

---