Advanced Polymeric Membranes as Biomaterials Based on Marine Sources Envisaging the Regeneration of Human Tissues
Duarte Nuno Carvalho,
Flávia C. M. Lobo,
Luísa C. Rodrigues,
Emanuel M. Fernandes,
David S. Williams,
Andrew Mearns-Spragg,
Carmen G. Sotelo,
Ricardo I. Perez-Martín,
Rui L. Reis,
Michael Gelinsky,
Tiago H. Silva
Affiliations
Duarte Nuno Carvalho
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
Flávia C. M. Lobo
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
Luísa C. Rodrigues
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
Emanuel M. Fernandes
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
David S. Williams
Jellagen Limited, Unit G6, Capital Business Park, Parkway, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 2PY, UK
Andrew Mearns-Spragg
Jellagen Limited, Unit G6, Capital Business Park, Parkway, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 2PY, UK
Carmen G. Sotelo
Group of Food Biochemistry, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM-CSIC), C/ Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
Ricardo I. Perez-Martín
Group of Food Biochemistry, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM-CSIC), C/ Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
Rui L. Reis
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
Michael Gelinsky
Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
Tiago H. Silva
3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark 4805-017, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
The self-repair capacity of human tissue is limited, motivating the arising of tissue engineering (TE) in building temporary scaffolds that envisage the regeneration of human tissues, including articular cartilage. However, despite the large number of preclinical data available, current therapies are not yet capable of fully restoring the entire healthy structure and function on this tissue when significantly damaged. For this reason, new biomaterial approaches are needed, and the present work proposes the development and characterization of innovative polymeric membranes formed by blending marine origin polymers, in a chemical free cross-linking approach, as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. The results confirmed the production of polyelectrolyte complexes molded as membranes, with structural stability resulting from natural intermolecular interactions between the marine biopolymers collagen, chitosan and fucoidan. Furthermore, the polymeric membranes presented adequate swelling ability without compromising cohesiveness (between 300 and 600%), appropriate surface properties, revealing mechanical properties similar to native articular cartilage. From the different formulations studied, the ones performing better were the ones produced with 3 % shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan, as well as with 5% jellyfish collagen, 3% shark collagen, 3% chitosan and 10% fucoidan. Overall, the novel marine polymeric membranes demonstrated to have promising chemical, and physical properties for tissue engineering approaches, namely as thin biomaterial that can be applied over the damaged articular cartilage aiming its regeneration.