This work was supported partially from startup funds from University of Nebraska Medical Center and National Institute of Health (grant number 1R15 AR063901-01).

1. Preparation of the Solution
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a solution of Poly (&#949;-caprolactone) (PCL) (Mw= 80,000 g/mol) at an approximate concentration of 100 mg/ml. Dissolve PCL in a mixture of dichloromethane (DCM) and N, N-dimethlyformamide (DMF) at a ratio of 4:1 (v/v) with a concentration of 10% (w/v).</li>
	<li>Place the solution in a 20 ml glass tube for mixing. Place glass tube into ultrasonic cleaner for 30 minutes, or until solution is translucent.</li>
</ol>
2. Apparatus Preparati...

<ol>
	<li>Xie, J., Li, X., Xia, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Putting+electrospun+nanofibers+to+work+for+biomedical+research.">Putting electrospun nanofibers to work for biomedical research.</a> Macromol. Rapid Commun. 29 (22), 1775-1792 (2008).</li><li>Genin, G. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+grading+of+mineral+and+collagen+in+the+attachment+of+tendon+to+bone.">Functional grading of mineral and collagen in the attachment of tendon to bone.</a> Biophys. J. 97 (4), 976-985 (2009).</li><li>Thomopoulos, S., Marquez, J. P., Weinberger, B., Birman, V., Genin, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Collagen+fiber+orientation+at+the+tendon+to+bone+insertion+and+its+influence+on+stress+concentrations.">Collagen fiber orientation at the tendon to bone insertion and its influence on stress concentrations.</a> J. Biomech. 39 (10), 1842-1851 (2006).</li><li>Thomopoulos, S., Williams, G. R., Gimbel, J. A., Favata, M., Soslowsky, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variation+of+biomechanical,+structural,+and+compositional+properties+along+the+tendon+to+bone+insertion+site.">Variation of biomechanical, structural, and compositional properties along the tendon to bone insertion site.</a> J. Orthop. Res. 21 (3), 413-419 (2003).</li><li>Thomopoulos, S., Genin, G. M., Galatz, L. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+development+and+morphogenesis+of+the+tendon-to-bone+insertion+-+What+development+can+teach+us+about+healing.">The development and morphogenesis of the tendon-to-bone insertion - What development can teach us about healing.</a> Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 10 (1), 35-45 (2010).</li><li>Li, X., Xie, J., Lipner, J., Yuan, X., Thomopoulos, S., Xia, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanofiber+scaffolds+with+gradations+in+mineral+content+for+mimicking+the+tendon-to-bone+insertion+site.">Nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in mineral content for mimicking the tendon-to-bone insertion site.</a> Nano Lett. 9 (7), 2763-2768 (2009).</li><li>Kunzler, T. P., Huwiler, C., Drobek, T., V&#246;r&#246;s, J., Spencer, N. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systematic+study+of+osteoblast+response+to+nanotopography+by+means+of+nanoparticle-density+gradients.">Systematic study of osteoblast response to nanotopography by means of nanoparticle-density gradients.</a> Biomaterials. 28 (33), 5000-5006 (2007).</li><li>Huwiler, C., Kunzler, T. P., Textor, M., V&#246;r&#246;s, J., Spencer, N. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functionalizable+nanomorphology+gradients+via+colloidal+self-assembly.">Functionalizable nanomorphology gradients via colloidal self-assembly.</a> Langmuir. 23 (11), 5929-5935 (2007).</li><li>Xie, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term='Aligned-to-random'+nanofiber+scaffolds+for+mimicking+the+structure+of+the+tendon-to-bone+insertion+site.">'Aligned-to-random' nanofiber scaffolds for mimicking the structure of the tendon-to-bone insertion site.</a> Nanoscale. 2 (6), 923-926 (2010).</li><li>Xie, J., Ma, B., Michael, P. L., Shuler, F. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fabrication+of+nanofiber+scaffolds+with+gradations+in+fiber+organization+and+their+potential+applications.">Fabrication of nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization and their potential applications.</a> Macromol. Biosci. 12 (10), 1336-1341 (2012).</li><li>James, R., Kumbar, S. G., Laurencin, C. T., Balian, G., Chhabra, A. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tendon+tissue+engineering:+adipose-derived+stem+cell+and+GDF-5+mediated+regeneration+using+electrospun+matrix+systems.">Tendon tissue engineering: adipose-derived stem cell and GDF-5 mediated regeneration using electrospun matrix systems.</a> Biomed. Mater. 6 (2), 025011 (2011).</li><li>Bodle, J. C., Hanson, A. D., Loboa, E. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adipose-derived+stem+cells+in+functional+bone+tissue+engineering:+lessons+from+bone+mechanobiology.">Adipose-derived stem cells in functional bone tissue engineering: lessons from bone mechanobiology.</a> Tissue Eng. Part B Rev. 17 (3), 195-211 (2011).</li><li>Lee, J. H., Rhie, J. W., Oh, D. Y., Ahn, S. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Osteogenic+differentiation+of+human+adipose+tissue-derived+stromal+cells+(hASCs)+in+a+porous+three-dimensional+scaffold.">Osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) in a porous three-dimensional scaffold.</a> Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 370 (3), 456-460 (2008).</li><li>Tapp, H., Hanley, E. N., Patt, J. C., Gruber, H. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adipose-derived+stem+cells:+characterization+and+current+application+in+orthopaedic+tissue+repair.">Adipose-derived stem cells: characterization and current application in orthopaedic tissue repair.</a> Exp. Biol. Med. 234 (1), 1-9 (2009).</li><li>Gimble, J. M., Guilak, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adipose-derived+adult+stem+cells:+isolation,+characterization,+and+differentiation+potential.">Adipose-derived adult stem cells: isolation, characterization, and differentiation potential.</a> Cytotherapy. 5 (5), 362-369 (2003).</li><li>Zuk, P. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multilineage+cells+from+human+adipose+tissue:+implications+for+cell-based+therapies.">Multilineage cells from human adipose tissue: implications for cell-based therapies.</a> Tissue Eng. 7 (2), 211-228 (2001).</li><li>Xie, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+differentiation+of+embryonic+stem+cells+seeded+on+electrospun+nanofibers+into+neural+lineages.">The differentiation of embryonic stem cells seeded on electrospun nanofibers into neural lineages.</a> Biomaterials. 30 (3), 354-362 (2009).</li><li>Xie, J., MacEwan, M. R., Li, X., Sakiyama-Elbert, S. E., Xia, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurite+outgrowth+on+nanofiber+scaffolds+with+different+orders,+structures,+and+surface+properties.">Neurite outgrowth on nanofiber scaffolds with different orders, structures, and surface properties.</a> ACS Nano. 3 (5), 1151-1159 (2009).</li><li>Ayres, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+anisotropy+in+electrospun+tissue+engineering+scaffolds:+analysis+of+fiber+alignment+by+the+fast+Fourier+transform.">Modulation of anisotropy in electrospun tissue engineering scaffolds: analysis of fiber alignment by the fast Fourier transform.</a> Biomaterials. 27 (32), 5524-5534 (2006).</li><li>Ayres, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+fiber+alignment+in+electrospun+scaffolds:+a+user&#8217;s+guide+to+the+2D+fast+Fourier+transform+approach.">Measuring fiber alignment in electrospun scaffolds: a user&#8217;s guide to the 2D fast Fourier transform approach.</a> J. Biomater. Sci. Poly. Ed. 19 (5), 603-621 (2008).</li></ol>

The most critical part of the protocol is generation of the gradient scaffold. It is imperative that the mask covering the collector moves at a constant velocity so there is a gradual change within the fiber scaffold. The correct preparation of PCL solution is also important to ensure electrospinning success. Checking the fiber morphology prior to electrospinning is recommendable, especially after the encapsulation of Coumarin-6, which may require a higher voltage to electrospin correctly. 
Fu...

Nanofibers are a popular utility for tissue engineering because of their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix in its structure and relative size1. However, some native tissue interfaces, such as the tendon-to-bone insertion site, contain collagen fibers, which exhibit a variable organizational structure that increases in alignment towards the tendon and decreases at the bone site2-5. So, for effective tissue regeneration there is a need to fabricate a scaffold that could effectively mimic this structural gradient.
Previously, there has been research conducted on gradual changes in fiber composition, specifically, mineral content6. However, recreating the structural component of connective tissues remains largely unexplored. An earlier study examined morphological gradients by studying the effect of surface silica particle density on the proliferation of rat calvarial osteoblasts and found an inverse relationship between silica particle density and cell proliferation7. But the morphological changes that mediated cell proliferation in previous work were mostly related to surface roughness lacking the capability in mimicking fiber organizational changes7,8. One recent study attempted to fabricate a scaffold that mimicked the unique collagen fiber orientations by using a novel collector for electrospinning9. While this study succeeded in producing a scaffold with both aligned and random fibers, it failed to mimic the gradual changes exhibited in the native tissues. Also, in producing separate components, with an immediate change from aligned to random orientation, the biomechanical properties of this scaffold decreased significantly. No previous work has been able to produce applicable nanofiber scaffolds with continuous gradations in fiber orientations from aligned and random. Our recent study has shown successful recreation of nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization that can potentially mimic the native collagen organization at tendon-to-bone insertion10. This work aims to present the protocols used for the production of nanofiber scaffolds with a structure that closely resembles that of fiber organization in the native tendon-to-bone tissue interface.
Gradient nanofiber structures have potentially far-reaching applications across a variety of fields. We focused on the applications to tissue engineering of the tendon-to-bone insertion site by combining our scaffolds with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) which are already utilized for tissue regeneration on various substrates11-14. In addition, ADSCs are very similar in nature to bone marrow stem cells in terms of multipotency and their resource is abundant which can be harvested using a simple liposuction procedure15,16. Seeding these cells to gradated nanofiber scaffolds further enhances their tissue engineering applications by allowing for the controlled distribution of the cells that can potentially differentiate into various tissues. In addition to seeding stem cells, nanofibers can be encapsulated with signaling molecules for regulation of cellular response. Coupling nanoencapsulation with the organizational gradient of these scaffolds allows for the study of cellular behavior or possible implant designs and coatings. Encapsulation of functional molecules like bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), which has been shown to induce osteoblast differentiation15,16, could further enhance the tissue engineering applications of these scaffolds10.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Polycaprolactone</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>440744</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N,N-Dimethlyformamide</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>D-119-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dichloromethane</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>AC61093-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coumarin 6</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>546283</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adipose Derived Stem Cells</td>
			<td>Cellular engineering Technologies</td>
			<td>HMSC.AD-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>26140-111</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescein Diacetate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F7378</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>E7023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25300-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#945;-Modified Eagle&#39;s Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>a10490-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>s25120a</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffered Saline</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>10010023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Slides</td>
			<td>VWR international, LLC</td>
			<td>101412-842</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe Pump</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-831-200</td>
			<td>Single syringe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasonic Cleaner</td>
			<td>Branson</td>
			<td>1510</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Voltage DC Power Supply</td>
			<td>Gamma High Voltage Research</td>
			<td>ES30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scanning Electron Microscope</td>
			<td>FEI</td>
			<td>Nova 2300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence Microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Axio Imager 2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

electrospun nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization

The goal of this protocol is to report a simple method for generating nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization and test their possible applications in controlling cell morphology/orientation. Nanofiber organization is controlled with a new fabrication apparatus that enables the gradual decrease of fiber organization in a scaffold. Changing the alignment of fibers is achieved through decreasing deposition time of random electrospun fibers on a uniaxially aligned fiber mat. By covering the collector with a moving barrier/mask, along the same axis as fiber deposition, the organizational structure is easily controlled. For tissue engineering purposes, adipose-derived stem cells can be seeded to these scaffolds. Stem cells undergo morphological changes as a result of their position on the varied organizational structure, and can potentially differentiate into different cell types depending on their locations. Additionally, the graded organization of fibers enhances the biomimicry of nanofiber scaffolds so they more closely resemble the natural orientations of collagen nanofibers at tendon-to-bone insertion site compared to traditional scaffolds. Through nanoencapsulation, the gradated fibers also afford the possibility to construct chemical gradients in fiber scaffolds, and thereby further strengthen their potential applications in fast screening of cell-materials interaction and interfacial tissue regeneration. This technique enables the production of continuous gradient scaffolds, but it also can potentially produce fibers in discrete steps by controlling the movement of the moving barrier/mask in a discrete fashion.

Using this protocol, a fiber mat with an organizational gradient was formed. Figure 3 shows the SEM images taken at various locations on the nanofiber scaffold. Qualitatively, it can be determined that there is a progression from the uniaxially aligned fibers at 0 mm (Figure 3A) to a random fiber assortment at 6 mm (Figure 3D). The FFT gives a quantitative value to the fiber alignment, specifics on the quantitative processes are detailed here19. Fibers at 0 mm...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization at JoVE.com

Electrospun Nanofiber Scaffolds with Gradations in Fiber Organization

Here, we present a protocol to fabricate electrospun nanofiber scaffolds with gradated organization of fibers and explore their applications in regulating cell morphology/orientation. Gradients with regard to physical and chemical properties of the nanofiber scaffolds offer a wide variety of applications in the biomedical field.

The goal of this protocol is to report a simple method for generating nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization and test their possible ...

electrospun-nanofiber-scaffolds-with-gradations-in-fiber-organization

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

9.7K visualizações.  University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Aqui, apresentamos um protocolo para fabricar andaimes electrospun nanofibras com organização gradated de fibras e explorar suas aplicações na regulação da morfologia celular / orientação. Gradientes no que diz respeito às propriedades físicas e químicas dos scaffolds nanofibras oferecer uma ampla variedade de aplicações na área biomédica. 