Abstract
The field of tissue engineering brings together researchers from a broad range of multidisciplinary backgrounds with the common aim of pursuing continuous improvement in biomedical innovation. Advances in tissue repair and regeneration attempt to meet the gold standard offered by autografting while avoiding the issues associated with tissue harvesting. Over time, focus moved from the use of allografts and synthetic grafts (non-degradable) towards exploring the potential for engineered 'living grafts' to address tissue diseases and the treatment of organ failure. However, it is clear that tissue-engineered implants used in a wide range of therapeutic applications still require further improvement. Recent recognition of the limitations and challenges associated with tissue regeneration, has triggered a shift towards ready-to-use implants that can induce biological repair processes and this has highlighted the need for biomaterials that can promote optimised biological response. Rather than developing biomaterials for tissue replication and substitution in classical tissue engineering, there is a new focus on creating biomaterials that are bio-responsive and hence capable of guiding tissue and organ repair. Successful routes involve mimicking natural processes that occur during regeneration. This can be achieved through the use of emerging engineering and technological advances, with careful control of the intrinsic physical and chemical cues from the as-fabricated materials (e.g. modified biochemical motifs, stiffness, anisotropy etc) or stimulated by extrinsic factors (e.g. pH, heat, light, metabolites etc).
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This special issue is dedicated to the recent advances in the field of bio-responsive materials for tissue regeneration. Our first exciting contribution is from Zhang et al [1], who provide insights on bio-responsive smart polymers and biomedical applications. This topical review highlights progress with different functional stimuli based on molecular design, with prospective comments on their future in health application. Keeping with the advanced biomaterials design for medical therapeutics, our next original article by Mehta et al [2], De Montfort University, United Kingdom, describes the development of a new fibrous coating on tissue via electrohydrodynamic technique, which is applicable for ex vivo drug testing model. Another interesting contribution is from Konishi et al [3] who investigated the effects of an amorphous hydrated layer in bioceramics fabrication using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This work proposes a setting mechanism for β-tricalcium phosphate—inositol phosphate composite cements. The following work by Lim et al [4] from National University of Singapore, Singapore, explores bio-responsive ceramics, revealing the biological effects of silver and silicon co-substituted hydroxyapatite to reduce the risk of bacterial resistance as well as preventing detrimental effects from bacterial toxins.
In addition to the bio-responsive chemical agents, this Special Issue offers a collection of research papers on physical cues. An interesting contribution from Li's group [5], Wenzhou Medical University, China, describes the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane to create a specific surface topography which favored myogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Our next original research paper, by Xie et al [6] from Hunan University, China, explores, in-depth, the biological signaling pathways associated with the use of polycaprolactone fibers to reduce scar formation during skin tissue regeneration. Finally, Wang et al [7] highlight the need to consider physical geometry as bio-responsive cues in regenerating tissue structure. This work offers a detailed review of the current efforts around materials fabrication and biological effects, with future perspectives for vascular scaffold design and development.
Acknowledgments
The editors would like to thank all authors for their contributions to this special issue. In addition, we would like to acknowledge all reviewers for their valuable contributions and dedicated services in the peer review process of the manuscripts submitted to this issue.