Optimization of electrospun polylactide-based ultrathin fibers for osteoconductive bone scaffolds

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Torres-Giner, S., Gimeno-Alcañiz, J. V., Ocio, M. J., & Lagaron, J. M. (2011). Optimization of electrospun polylactide-based ultrathin fibers for osteoconductive bone scaffolds. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 122(2), 914-925, which has been published in final form at 10.1002/app.34208. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] Bone tissue interfacial scaffolds, which encourage cell growth, are critical determinants for clinical success after implant surgery. Over the years, a number of resorbable configurations have emerged for bone cell support and growth, but only a few have demonstrated clinical efficacy. Polymer coatings produced by electrospinning are regarded as very promising bone interfaces because of the ultrathin-scaled dimensions of its physical structure. In this study, the morphology, composition, thermal properties, and cell growth viability of a number of polylactide-based systems containing different binary and ternary formulations of this biomaterial with collagen and commercial hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were characterized. The best performance in terms of biocompatibility was obtained for the tricomponent system in which the submicron fibers were further subjected to uniaxial orientation process during formation. The in vitro proliferation of the cells, which harbored on these ultrathin-structured mats, was examined by means of a metabolic activity indicator and ensured by means of scanning electron microscopy, and cell anchorage was checked by fluorescent optical microscopy. Finally, the optimum tricomponent material was successfully sterilized for the first time by gamma radiation without noticeable losses in cell-seeding capacity.Torres-Giner, S.; Gimeno-Alcañiz, JV.; Ocio, MJ.; Lagaron, JM. (2011). Optimization of electrospun polylactide-based ultrathin fibers for osteoconductive bone scaffolds. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 122(2):914-925. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.34208914925122

Comparative Performance of Electrospun Collagen Nanofibers Cross-linked by Means of Different Methods

[EN] Collagen, as the major structural protein of the extracellular matrix in animals, is a versatile biomaterial of great interest in various engineering applications. Electrospun nanofibers of collagen are regarded as very promising materials for tissue engineering applications because they can reproduce the morphology of the natural bone but have as a drawback a poor structural consistency in wet conditions. In this paper, a comparative study between the performance of different cross-linking methods such as a milder enzymatic treatment procedure using transglutaminase, the use of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N¿-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/ N-hydroxysuccinimide, and genipin, and the use of a physical method based on exposure to ultraviolet light was carried out. The chemical and enzymatic treatments provided, in this order, excellent consistency, morphology, cross-linking degree, and osteoblast viability for the collagen nanofibers. Interestingly, the enzymatically cross-linked collagen mats, which are considered to be a more biological treatment, promoted adequate cell adhesion, making the biomaterial biocompatible and with an adequate degree of porosity for cell seeding and in-growth.The authors acknowledge the EU integrated project NEWBONE, the company Nanobiomatters Ltd. (Paterna, Spain), and the Spanish MEC (Project MAT2006- 10261-C03) for financial support and Impex Química Corp. for supplying TGTorres-Giner, S.; Gimeno-Alcañiz, JV.; Ocio, MJ.; Lagaron, JM. (2009). Comparative Performance of Electrospun Collagen Nanofibers Cross-linked by Means of Different Methods. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 1(1):218-223. https://doi.org/10.1021/am800063x2182231

MAMI: a birth cohort focused on maternal-infant microbiota during early life

Early microbial colonization is a relevant aspect in human health. Altered microbial colonization patterns have been linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Advances in understanding host-microbe interactions highlight the pivotal role of maternal microbiota on infant health programming. This birth cohort is aimed to characterize the maternal microbes transferred to neonates during the first 1000 days of life, as well as to identify the potential host and environmental factors, such as gestational age, mode of delivery, maternal/infant diet, and exposure to antibiotics, which affect early microbial colonization.This study is supported through a five-year grant from European Research Council (ERC) - European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework - with an ERC Starting Grant (ref. 639226). Funding received from this grant supports direct research costs and research assistant salaries. The ERC had no direct role in the design of this study and will not in the collection, analysis or interpreting of data, or manuscript writing