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Bio-electrospraying assessment towards in situ chondrocyte-laden electrospun scaffold fabrication
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  • Ângela Semitela,
  • Gonçalo Ramalho,
  • Cátia Sousa,
  • Alexandrina Mendes,
  • Paula Marques,
  • António Completo
Ângela Semitela
University of Aveiro

Corresponding Author:angela.semitela@ua.pt

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Gonçalo Ramalho
University of Aveiro
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Cátia Sousa
University of Coimbra
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Alexandrina Mendes
University of Coimbra
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Paula Marques
University of Aveiro
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António Completo
University of Aveiro
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Abstract

Electrospinning has been widely used for the development of fibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering (TE), however their small pores significantly limit cell infiltration throughout the scaffolds, particularly in three-dimensional (3D) designs. In this endeavor, a direct incorporation of chondrocytes into the fibers mesh during the electrospinning presents itself as a promising solution by use of bio-electrospraying. Yet, for this technology to be effectively employed for cartilage TE, it is necessary to assess if chondrocytes are in any way adversely affected. So, in this work, several electrospraying experiments were performed by adjusting various operational parameters to evaluate their influence on chondrocyte viability and function. A high percentage of post-electrosprayed chondrocytes remained viable upon the exposure of an external electric field generated by low needle to collector distances and low applied voltages. No obvious differences were found with non-electrosprayed chondrocytes in terms of viability, morphology and proliferation. The data reported here further suggest that bio-electrospraying under the optimal operational conditions might be a promising alternative to the existent cell seeding techniques, promoting not only cells safe delivery to the scaffold, but also the development of highly cellularized and uniform tissue constructs for cartilage repair.
10 Sep 2020Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering
11 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
10 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
Jan 2022Published in Journal of Tissue Engineering volume 13 on pages 204173142110693. 10.1177/20417314211069342