Advanced Polymeric Membranes as Biomaterials Based on Marine Sources Envisaging the Regeneration of Human Tissues

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Duarte Nuno Carvalho - (Author)
  • Flávia C. M. Lobo - (Author)
  • Luísa C. Rodrigues - (Author)
  • Emanuel M. Fernandes - (Author)
  • David S. Williams - (Author)
  • Andrew Mearns-Spragg - (Author)
  • Carmen G. Sotelo - (Author)
  • Ricardo I. Perez-Martín - (Author)
  • Rui L. Reis - (Author)
  • Michael Gelinsky - , Centre for translational bone, joint and soft tissue research (Author)
  • Tiago H. Silva - (Author)

Abstract

The self-repair capacity of human tissue is limited, motivating the arising of tissue engineering (TE) in building temporary scaffolds that envisage the regeneration of human tissues, including articular cartilage. However, despite the large number of preclinical data available, current therapies are not yet capable of fully restoring the entire healthy structure and function on this tissue when significantly damaged. For this reason, new biomaterial approaches are needed, and the present work proposes the development and characterization of innovative polymeric membranes formed by blending marine origin polymers, in a chemical free cross-linking approach, as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. The results confirmed the production of polyelectrolyte complexes molded as membranes, with structural stability resulting from natural intermolecular interactions between the marine biopolymers collagen, chitosan and fucoidan. Furthermore, the polymeric membranes presented adequate swelling ability without compromising cohesiveness (between 300 and 600%), appropriate surface properties, revealing mechanical properties similar to native articular cartilage. From the different formulations studied, the ones performing better were the ones produced with 3 % shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan, as well as with 5% jellyfish collagen, 3% shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan. Overall, the novel marine polymeric membranes demonstrated to have promising chemical, and physical properties for tissue engineering approaches, namely as thin biomaterial that can be applied over the damaged articular cartilage aiming its regeneration.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number247
JournalGels
Volume9
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 20 Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85151251973
WOS 000957974500001
Mendeley 9a246f92-953c-3e08-a557-21adbe2f083d

Keywords

Keywords

  • Mechanical testing, Surface analysis, Thermal properties, polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), surface analysis, thermal properties, polymer–matrix composites (PMCs), mechanical testing