Biomedical applications of Polymers from Scaffolds to Nanostructures

The ability of polymers to span wide ranges of mechanical properties and morph into desired shapes makes them useful for a variety of applications, including scaffolds, self-assembling materials, and nanomedicines. With an interdisciplinary list of subjects and contributors, this book overviews the biomedical applications of polymers and focuses on the aspect of regenerative medicine. Chapters also cover fundamentals, theories, and tools for scientists to apply polymers in the following ways:

Matrix protein interactions with synthetic surfaces
Methods and materials for cell scaffolds
Complex cell-materials microenvironments in bioreactors
Polymer therapeutics as nano-sized medicines for tissue repair
Functionalized mesoporous materials for controlled delivery
Nucleic acid delivery nanocarriers
Concepts include macro and nano requirements for polymers as well as future perspectives, trends, and challenges in the field. From self-assembling peptides to self-curing systems, this book presents the full therapeutic potential of novel polymeric systems and topics that are in the leading edge of technology.

Table of Contents
Preface xi

Contributors xvii

Part A Methods for Synthetic Extracellular Matrices and Scaffolds 1

1 Polymers as Materials for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds 3
Ana Vallés Lluch Dunia Mercedes García Cruz Jorge Luis Escobar Ivirico Cristina Martínez Ramos and Manuel Monleón Pradas

1.1 The Requirements Imposed by Application on Material Structures Intended as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds 3

1.2 Composition and Function 5

1.2.1 General Considerations 5

1.2.2 Some Families of Polymers for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds 8

1.2.3 Composite Scaffold Matrices 12

1.3 Structure and Function 14

1.3.1 General Considerations 14

1.3.2 Structuring Polymer Matrices 15

1.4 Properties of Scaffolds Relevant for Tissue Engineering Applications 24

1.4.1 Porous Architecture 24

1.4.2 Solid State Properties: Glass Transition Crystallinity 25

1.4.3 Mechanical and Structural Properties 26

1.4.4 Swelling Properties 28

1.4.5 Degradation Properties 29

1.4.6 Diffusion and Permeation 30

1.4.7 Surface Tension and Contact Angle 31

1.4.8 Biological Properties 31

1.5 Compound Multicomponent Constructs 32

1.5.1 Scaffold-Cum-Gel Constructs 32

1.5.2 Scaffolds and Membranes Containing Microparticles 34

1.5.3 Other Multicomponent Scaffold Constructs 34

1.6 Questions Arising from Manipulation and Final Use 35

1.6.1 Sterilization 35

1.6.2 Cell Seeding Cell Culture Analysis 36

1.6.3 In the Surgeon's Hands 37

References 37

2 Natural-Based and Stimuli-Responsive Polymers for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 49
Mariana B. Oliveira and Jo o F. Mano

2.1 Introduction 49

2.2 Natural Polymers and Their Application in TE & RM 52

2.2.1 Polysaccharides 52

2.2.2 Protein-Based Polymers 60

2.2.3 Polyesters 65

2.3 Natural Polymers in Stimuli-Responsive Systems 65

2.3.1 pH-Sensitive Natural Polymers 67

2.3.2 Temperature Sensitive Natural Polymers 67

2.3.3 Natural Polymers Modified to Show Thermoresponsive Behavior Modifying Responsive Polymers
and Agents 71

2.3.4 Light-Sensitive Polymers Potential Use of Azobenzene/a-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes 72

2.4 Conclusions 73

References 74

3 Matrix Proteins Interactions with Synthetic Surfaces 91
Patricia Rico Marco Cantini George Altankov and Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez

3.1 Introduction 91

3.2 Protein Adsorption 92

3.2.1 Cell Adhesion Proteins 93

3.2.2 Experimental Techniques to Follow Protein Adsorption 94

3.2.3 Effect of Surface Properties on Protein Adsorption 97

3.3 Cell Adhesion 109

3.3.1 Experimental Techniques to Characterize Cell Adhesion 112

3.3.2 Cell Adhesion at Cell Material Interface 115

3.4 Remodeling of the Adsorbed Proteins 122

3.4.1 Protein Reorganization and Secretion at the Cell Material Interface 122

3.4.2 Proteolytic Remodeling at Cell Materials Interface 126

References 128

4 Focal Adhesion Kinase in Cell Material Interactions 147
Cristina González-García Manuel Salmerón-Sánchez and Andrés J. García

4.1 Introduction 147

4.2 Role of FAK in Cell Proliferation 149

4.3 Role of FAK in Migratory and Mechanosensing Responses 150

4.4 Role of FAK in the Generation of Adhesives Forces 152

4.5 Influence of Material Surface Properties on FAK Signaling 156

4.5.1 Effect of Mechanical Properties on FAK Signaling 156

4.5.2 Effect of Surface Topography on FAK Signaling 160

4.5.3 Effect of Surface Chemistry on FAK Signaling 163

4.5.4 Effect of Surface Functionalization in FAK Expression 165

References 168

5 Complex Cell Materials Microenvironments in Bioreactors 177
Stergios C. Dermenoudis and Yannis F. Missirlis

5.1 Introduction 177

5.2 Cell ECM Interactions 178

5.2.1 ECM Chemistry 179

5.2.2 ECM Topography 181

5.2.3 ECM Mechanical Properties 183

5.2.4 ECM 3D Structure 184

5.2.5 ECM-Induced Mechanical Stimuli 186

5.3 Cell Nutrient Medium 187

5.3.1 Composition and Volume-Related Phenomena 188

5.3.2 Mechanical Stresses Induced by Nutrient Medium 191

5.4 Other Aspects of Interaction 194

5.4.1 Co-Culture Systems 195

5.4.2 Material Interactions 196

5.5 Conclusions 197

References 197

Part B N anostructures for Tissue Engineering 207

6 Self-Curing Systems for Regenerative Medicine 209
Julio San Román Blanca Vázquez and María Rosa Aguilar

6.1 Introduction 209

6.2 Self-Curing Systems for Hard Tissue Regeneration 210

6.2.1 Antimicrobial Self-Curing Formulations 211

6.2.2 Self-Curing Formulations for Osteoporotic Bone 214

6.2.3 Antineoplastic Drug-Loaded Self-Curing Formulations 216

6.2.4 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Loaded Formulations 217

6.2.5 Self-Curing Formulations with Biodegradable Components 218

6.3 Self-Curing Hydrogels for Soft Tissue Regeneration 219

6.3.1 Chemically Cross-Linked Hydrogels 220

6.3.2 Chemically and Physically Cross-Linked Hydrogels 225

6.4 Expectative and Future Directions 226

References 226

7 Self-Assembling Peptides as Synthetic Extracellular Matrices 235
M.T. Fernandez Muiños and C.E. Semino

7.1 Introduction 235

7.2 In Vitro Applications 238

7.3 In Vivo Applications 242

References 245

8 Polymer Therapeutics as Nano-Sized Medicines for Tissue Regeneration and Repair 249
Ana Armiñán Pilar Sepúlveda and María J. Vicent

8.1 Polymer Therapeutics as Nano-Sized Medicines 249

8.1.1 The Concept and Biological Rationale behind Polymer Therapeutics 249

8.1.2 Current Status and Future Trends 252

8.2 Polymer Therapeutics for Tissue Regeneration and Repair 254

8.2.1 Ischemia/Reperfusion Injuries 255

8.2.2 Wound Healing/Repair 260

8.2.3 Musculoskeletal Disorders 263

8.2.4 Diseases of the Central Nervous System 267

8.3 Conclusions and Future Perspectives 272

References 273

9 How Regenerative Medicine Can Benefit from Nucleic Acids Delivery Nanocarriers? 285
Erea Borrajo Anxo Vidal Maria J. Alonso and Marcos Garcia-Fuentes

9.1 Introduction 285

9.1.1 Learning from Viruses: How to Overcome Cellular Barriers 286

9.2 Nanotechnology in Gene Delivery 292

9.2.1 Lipid Nanocarriers 292

9.2.2 Polymeric Nanocarriers 294

9.2.3 Inorganic Nanoparticles 300

9.3 Nanotechnology in Regenerative Medicine 302

9.3.1 Bone Regeneration 303

9.3.2 Cartilage Regeneration 305

9.3.3 Tendon Regeneration 308

9.3.4 Myocardium Regeneration 309

9.3.5 Neurological Tissue 311

9.4 Conclusions 313

References 313

10 Functionalized Mesoporous Materials with Gate-Like Scaffoldings for Controlled Delivery 337
Elena Aznar Estela Climent Laura Mondragon Félix Sancenón and Ramón Martínez-Máñez

10.1 Introduction 337

10.2 Mesoporous Silica Materials with Gate-Like Scaffoldings 339

10.2.1 Controlled Delivery by pH Changes 339

10.2.2 Controlled Delivery Using Redox Reactions 345

10.2.3 Controlled Delivery Using Photochemical Reactions 349

10.2.4 Controlled Delivery via Temperature Changes 352

10.2.5 Controlled Delivery Using Small Molecules 355

10.2.6 Controlled Delivery Using Biomolecules 356

10.3 Concluding Remarks 360

References 361

11 Where Are We Going? Future Trends and Challenges 367
Sang Jin Lee and Anthony Atala

11.1 Introduction 367

11.2 Classification of Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 368

11.2.1 N aturally Derived Materials 368

11.2.2 Biodegradable Synthetic Polymers 370

11.2.3 Tissue Matrices 372

11.3 Basic Principles of Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering 373

11.4 Development of Smart Biomaterials 374

11.5 Scaffold Fabrication Technologies 376

11.5.1 Injectable Hydrogels 376

11.5.2 Electrospinning 377

11.5.3 Computer-Aided Scaffold Fabrication 378

11.5.4 Functionalization of Tissue-Engineered Biomaterial Scaffolds 379

11.6 Summary and Future Directions 381

References 384

Index 391