Magnetic scaffolds for the mechanotransduction stimulation in tendon tissue regeneration
Nowadays, tendon injuries represent a global health issue that annually affects millions of individuals. An innovative approach for their treatment is represented by the development of tissue engineered scaffolds able to support the host cells adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. However, the scaffold alone could be insufficient to guarantee an improvement of healing control. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> NPs) are gaining interest due to their unique properties. In particular, when combined with bio-mimetic scaffolds, they should lead to the cells mechano-stimulation, improving the tenogenic differentiation and allowing a deeper tissue reparation. The aim of this work is the study and the development of scaffolds based on polyhydroxybutyrate and gelatin and doped with Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> NPs. The scaffolds are characterized by an aligned fibrous shape able to mimic the tendon fascicles. Moreover, they possess a superparamagnetic behavior and a slow degradation rate that should guarantee structural support during the tissue regeneration. The magnetic scaffolds promote cell proliferation and alignment onto the matrix, in particular when combined with the application of an external magnetic field. Also, the cells are able to differentiate and produce collagen I extracellular matrix. Finally, the magnetic scaffold <i>in vivo</i> promotes complete tissue healing after 1 week of treatment when combined with the external magnetic stimulation.
Authors
- Elena Del Favero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6584-1869)
- Jessica Zanovello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9317-2423)
- Francesco Claudio Pavesi
- Eugenio Jannelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4447-1480)
- Claudio Sangregorio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2655-3901)
- Caterina Ricci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0573-4065)
- Giuseppina Sandri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6766-9321)
- Cinzia Boselli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7637-7558)
- Antonia Icaro Cornaglia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6083-3133)
- Martin Albino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7438-0833)
- Luca Casettari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6907-8904)
- A. Lascialfari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1687-0436)
- Manuel Bañobre‐López (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4319-2631)
- Eleonora Bianchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3989-561X)
- Barbara Vigani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9080-4939)
- Silvia Rossi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0446-6364)
- Marco Ruggeri
Institutions
- University of Urbino (IT)
- University of Pavia (IT)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Pavia (IT)
- Institute for the Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (IT)
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (PT)
- Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (IT)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Acceleratori e Superconduttività Applicata (IT)
- University of Florence (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Materials Today Bio
- Published
- 2025-03-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101699
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.79
Funders
- European Commission
- Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare