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Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine2022; 33(6); 51; doi: 10.1007/s10856-022-06673-4

Design of an electrospun tubular construct combining a mechanical and biological approach to improve tendon repair.

Abstract: Hand tendon injuries represent a major clinical problem and might dramatically diminish a patient's life quality. In this study, a targeted solution for flexor tendon repair was developed by combining a mechanical and biological approach. To this end, a novel acrylate-endcapped urethane-based polymer (AUP) was synthesized and its physico-chemical properties were characterized. Next, tubular repair constructs were developed using electrospinning of the AUP material with incorporated naproxen and hyaluronic acid (i.e. anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion compounds, respectively), and with a tubular braid as mechanical reinforcement. Tensile testing of the repair constructs using ex vivo sheep tendons showed that the developed repair constructs fulfilled the required mechanical properties for tendon repair (i.e. minimal ultimate stress of 4 MPa), with an ultimate stress of 6.4 ± 0.6 MPa. Moreover, in vitro biological assays showed that the developed repair tubes and the incorporated bioactive components were non-cytotoxic. In addition, when equine tenocytes and mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with the repair tubes, an increased production of collagen and non-collagenous proteins was observed. In conclusion, this novel construct in which a mechanical approach (fulfilling the required mechanical properties) was combined with a biological approach (incorporation of bioactive compounds), shows potential as flexor tendon repair application. Graphical abstract.
© 2022. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-05-31 PubMed ID: 35639212PubMed Central: PMC9156498DOI: 10.1007/s10856-022-06673-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research involves the creation of a novel tubular construct for the repair of flexor tendons in the hand, resulting from a combination of mechanical and biological approaches. By synthesizing an acrylate-endcapped urethane-based polymer and integrating anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion compounds, this tubular construct meets the necessary mechanical properties for tendon repair and shows promise in enhancing cell growth and protein production.

Material Synthesis and Characterization

  • The study began with the synthesis of a new polymer identified as an acrylate-endcapped urethane-based polymer (AUP). This synthesized polymer had its physico-chemical properties thoroughly examined as part of the research process.

Design and Development of the Tubular Repair Construct

  • The AUP was used in the development of a tubular repair construct designed to improve tendon repair, specifically for flexor tendons. The process involved the application of electrospinning, a technique used to generate ultra-thin fibers.
  • The tubular repair constructs incorporated anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion compounds—naproxen and hyaluronic acid, respectively—for intended enhanced healing outcomes.
  • The researchers also included a tubular braid within the design to reinforce the mechanical properties of the construct.

Mechanical Testing and Biological Assays

  • Tensile tests were conducted using ex vivo sheep tendons, which suggested that the developed repair constructs achieved the necessary mechanical properties for tendon repair, exhibiting an ultimate stress of 6.4 ± 0.6 MPa, greater than the required minimum of 4 MPa.
  • The study also carried out in vitro biological assays, ascertaining that the repair tubes and the bioactive elements incorporated within them were non-cytotoxic, hence not harmful to cells.

Tubular Repair Construct and Cell Culture

  • When equine tenocytes (tendon cells) and mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with the repair tubes, not only did the cells survive, but there was also an increase in the production of collagen and non-collagenous proteins. This indicates the potential of the repair construct to promote healing and repair at the cellular level.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that the newly designed tubular construct, which integrates mechanical and biological approaches, holds promise for its use in flexor tendon repair applications.

Cite This Article

APA
Pien N, Van de Maele Y, Parmentier L, Meeremans M, Mignon A, De Schauwer C, Peeters I, De Wilde L, Martens A, Mantovani D, Van Vlierberghe S, Dubruel P. (2022). Design of an electrospun tubular construct combining a mechanical and biological approach to improve tendon repair. J Mater Sci Mater Med, 33(6), 51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-022-06673-4

Publication

Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine
ISSN: 1573-4838
NlmUniqueID: 9013087
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 6
Pages: 51

Researcher Affiliations

Pien, N
  • Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
  • Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Min-Met-Materials Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Q Research Center, Laval University, 2325 Rue de l'Universite, Q, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
Van de Maele, Y
  • Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Parmentier, L
  • Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Meeremans, M
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9280, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Mignon, A
  • Smart Polymeric Biomaterials, Surface and Interface Engineered Materials, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13 - box 2600, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
De Schauwer, C
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9280, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Peeters, I
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, ingang 46, 9000, Gent, Belgium.
De Wilde, L
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, ingang 46, 9000, Gent, Belgium.
Martens, A
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9280, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Mantovani, D
  • Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Min-Met-Materials Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Q Research Center, Laval University, 2325 Rue de l'Universite, Q, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
Van Vlierberghe, S
  • Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Dubruel, P
  • Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Peter.Dubruel@ugent.be.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Sheep
  • Tendon Injuries / surgery
  • Tendons
  • Tissue Engineering

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Zhang Y, Xue Y, Ren Y, Li X, Liu Y. Biodegradable Polymer Electrospinning for Tendon Repairment. Polymers (Basel) 2023 Mar 21;15(6).
    doi: 10.3390/polym15061566pubmed: 36987348google scholar: lookup
  2. Tang Y, Wang Z, Xiang L, Zhao Z, Cui W. Functional biomaterials for tendon/ligament repair and regeneration. Regen Biomater 2022;9:rbac062.
    doi: 10.1093/rb/rbac062pubmed: 36176715google scholar: lookup
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