Nanofiber scaffolds and methods for repairing damaged cardiac tissue
Compositions are provided comprising a nanofiber scaffold that is seeded with one or more relevant cells and has a basketweave configuration that mimics the structure of a tissue, such as a cardiac tissue. Methods for treating damaged cardiac tissue in a subject are also provided and include applying an effective amount of the composition to damaged cardiac tissue. Methods for making nanofiber scaffold compositions are further provided and include electrospinning a biodegradable polymer onto a mandrel to create a mat of electrospun nanofibers, dividing the mat into nanofiber strips; and weaving the strips into a nanofiber scaffold having a basketweave configuration that mimics the structure of a tissue.
1. A composition, comprising a nanofiber scaffold seeded with one or more relevant cells, the nanofiber scaffold including a plurality of electrospun nanofiber strips cut from a non-woven mat of electrospun nanofibers, the plurality of electrospun nanofiber strips arranged orthogonally to form a basketweave configuration that mimics the structure of a tissue.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the relevant cells are selected from the group consisting of adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent cells, or primary cells.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the relevant cells are adult stem cells.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the adult stem cells are selected from the group consisting of adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, and cardiac stem cells.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the adult stem cells are adipose-derived stem cells.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the tissue is cardiac tissue.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber strips are arranged in one or more layers.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the layers comprise about 1 to about 15 layers.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber strips are comprised of randomly-oriented or uniaxially-aligned nanofibers.
10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber strips are comprised of nanofiber yarns.
11. The composition of claim 1 , where the nanofiber scaffold is comprised of a biodegradable polymer.
12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, natural polymers, and blends of synthetic and natural polymers.
13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber scaffold is comprised of polycaprolactone.
14. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an extracellular matrix protein attached to the nanofiber scaffold.
15. The composition of claim 14 , wherein the extracellular matrix protein is selected from fibronectin, laminin, and collagen.
16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber scaffold is coated with an electrically-conductive material selected from an electrically-conductive polymer and a metal nanoparticle.
17. The composition of claim 16 , wherein the electrically-conductive material is an electrically-conductive polymer selected from the group consisting of polypyrrole, polyaniline, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT).
18. The composition of claim 16 , wherein the metal nanoparticle is a gold nanoparticle.
19. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a growth factor attached to the nanofiber scaffold.
20. The composition of claim 19 , wherein the growth factor is selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), placental growth factor (PIGF), Ang1, platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β).
21. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent attached to the nanofiber scaffold.
22. The composition of claim 21 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-inflammatory agent or an antibiotic.
23. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiber scaffold is coated with hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, or both.
24. A method for treating damaged cardiac tissue in a subject, comprising:
providing a composition including a nanofiber scaffold seeded with one or more relevant cells, the nanofiber scaffold including a plurality of electrospun nanofiber strips cut from a non-woven mat of electrospun nanofibers, the plurality of electrospun nanofiber strips arranged orthogonally to form a basketweave configuration that mimics the structure of cardiac tissue; and
applying an effective amount of the composition to a site of the damaged cardiac tissue in the subject.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the relevant cells are selected from the group consisting of adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, and cardiac stem cells.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the relevant cells comprise adipose-derived stem cells.
27. The method of claim 24 , further comprising a growth factor attached to the nanofiber scaffold.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the growth factor is selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), placental growth factor (PIGF), Ang1, platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β).
29. The method of claim 24 , further comprising a therapeutic agent attached to the nanofiber scaffold.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-inflammatory agent or an antibiotic.
31. The method of claim 24 , wherein applying an effective amount of the composition comprises suturing the composition to the damaged cardiac tissue.