Rosaria Altobelli

Polymer-based platforms by electric field-assisted techniques for tissue engineering and cancer therapy

A large variety of processes and tools has been investigated to acquire better knowledge on the natural evolution of healthy or pathological tissues in 3D scaffolds to discover new solutions for tissue engineering and cancer therapy. Among them, electrodynamic techniques allow revisiting old scaffold manufacturing approach by utilizing electrostatic forces as the driving force to assemble fibers and/or particles from an electrically charged solution. By carefully selecting materials and processing conditions, they allow to fine control of characteristic shapes and sizes from micro to sub-micrometric scale and incorporate biopolymers/molecules (e.g., proteins, growth factors) for time- and space-controlled release for use in drug delivery and passive/active targeting. This review focuses on current advances to design micro or nanostructured polymer platforms by electrodynamic techniques, to be used as innovative scaffolds for tissue engineering or as 3D models for preclinical in vitro studies of in vivo tumor growth.

Chitosan Microgels and Nanoparticles via Electrofluidodynamic Techniques for Biomedical Applications

Electrofluidodynamics techniques (EFDTs) are emerging methodologies based on liquid atomization induced by electrical forces to obtain a fine suspension of particles from hundreds of micrometers down to nanometer size. As a function of the characteristic size, these particles are interesting for a wide variety of applications, due to the high scalability of chemical and physical properties in comparison to the bulk form. Here, we propose the optimization of EFDT techniques to design chitosan systems in the form of microgels or nanoparticles for several biomedical applications. Different microscopy techniques (Optical, SEM, TEM) have been used to investigate the morphology of chitosan systems at multiple size scale. The proposed study confirms the high versatility and feasibility of EFDTs for creating micro and nano-sized carriers for cells and drug species.

Electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibres decorated by drug loaded chitosan nano-reservoirs for antibacterial treatments

The main limitation of conventional antibiotic therapies concerns the low efficacy to fight bacteria attacks during long treatment times. In this context, the integrated use of electrofluidodynamics (EFDs)-basically electrospinning and electrospraying-may represent an interesting route for designing nanostructured platforms with controlled release to prevent the formation of bacterial biofilms in oral implant sites. They allow for the deposition of nanofibres and nanoparticles by different modes-i.e. sequential, simultaneous-for the fabrication of more efficacious systems in terms of degradation protection, pharmacokinetic control and drug distribution to the surrounding tissues. Herein, we will investigate EFDs processing modes and conditions to decorate polycaprolactone nanofibres surfaces by chitosan nano-reservoirs for the administration of Amoxicillin Trihydrate as an innovative antibacterial treatment of the periodontal pocket.

Polymer Bioprocessing to Fabricate 3D Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Abstract Traditional methods for polymer processing involve the use of hazardous organic solvents which may compromise the biological function of scaffolds in tissue engineering. Indeed, the toxic effect of them on biological microenvironment has a tremendous impact on cell fate so altering the main activities involved in in vitro tissue formation. To date, extensive researches focus on seeking newer methods for bio-safely processing polymeric biomaterials to be implanted in the human body. Here, we aim at over viewing two approaches based on solvent free or green solvent based processes in order to identify alternative solutions to fabricate bio-inspired scaffolds to be successfully used in regenerative and degenerative medicine.

Electro fluido dynamic techniques to design instructive biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery

A large variety of processes and tools is continuously investigated to discover new solutions to design instructive materials with controlled chemical, physical and biological properties for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Among them, electro fluido dynamic techniques (EFDTs) are emerging as an interesting strategy, based on highly flexible and low-cost processes, to revisit old biomaterial’s manufacturing approach by utilizing electrostatic forces as the driving force for the fabrication of 3D architectures with controlled physical and chemical functionalities to guide in vitro and in vivo cell activities. By a rational selection of polymer solution properties and process conditions, EFDTs allow to produce fibres and/or particles at micro and/or nanometric size scale which may be variously assembled by tailored experimental setups, thus giving the chance to generate a plethora of different 3D devices able to incorporate biopolymers (i.e., proteins, polysaccharides) or active molecules (e.g., drugs)...

Alginate Processing Routes to Fabricate Bioinspired Platforms for Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery

Alginate is a water-soluble polymer which has gained much attention in the last 20 years as suitable biomaterial for numerous applications in biomedical science and engineering. The strong biocompatibility in cell microenvironment and the possibility to process alginate solution by safe conditions to reach a stable form after polymer gelation – via ionic, chemical, or thermal route – make them useful to design different types of devices (i.e., injectable gels, porous scaffolds, micro-/nanoparticles) which are attractive for wound healing, cell transplantation, drug delivery, and three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

Additive electrospraying for scaffold functionalization

Abstract In the last decade, micro- and nanostructured platforms with interesting features as bioactive carriers have been fabricated by the deposition of electrospun fibers exhibiting extended surface area and high molecular permeability associated with fully interconnected pore architecture, thus creating the opportunity to incorporate a wide range of actives/drugs for different use. In these systems, molecular release may occur via various molecular transport pathways, namely diffusion, desorption, and scaffold degradation, which may be tuned through a careful control of fiber morphology and composition. Recent studies have demonstrated that several shortcomings involve the possibility to incorporate bioactive species, not exposing molecules to fast and/or uncontrolled denaturation, thus preserving biochemical and biological fiber functionalities. In this context, additive electrospraying, namely the integration of electrosprayed nanoparticles into electrospun fiber network, is emerging as a really interesting route to control “separately” release and functional properties of the scaffolds in order to support cell activities by independent cues, during the tissue formation. Herein, we propose an overview of current progresses in the use of electrospraying and/or electrospinning for tissue engineering and molecular release. Our main objective is oriented to identify the most innovative integrated approaches recently optimized for scaffold functionalization to molecularly encode multicomponent platforms in order to obtain a spatial and time controlled release.

Core/shell cellulose-based microspheres for oral administration of Ketoprofen Lysinate: ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF KL

Herein, we propose the fabrication of a new carrier with core/shell structure-inner core of cellulose acetate (CA) coated by a micrometric layer of chitosan (CS)-fabricated through an integrated process, which combines Electro Dynamic Atomization (EDA) and layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. We demonstrate that CA based microspheres possess a unique capability to relevantly retain the drugs-that is, Ketoprofen Lysinate (KL)-along the gastric tract, while providing a massive release along the intestine. CS shell slightly influences the morphology and water retention under different pH conditions, improving drug encapsulation without compromising drug release kinetics. In vitro studies in simulated gastric and intestine fluids (SGF, SIF) with physiological enzymes, show a moderate release of LSK during the first 2 h (ca. 20% at pH 2), followed by a sustained release during the next 6 h (ca. 80% at pH 7). The obtained results demonstrate that CA-based microspheres hold strong potential to be used as carriers for a delayed oral administration of anti-inflammatory drugs.