In Situ Transformation of Electrospun Nanofibers into Nanofiber-Reinforced Hydrogels
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In Situ Transformation of Electrospun Nanofibers into Nanofiber-Reinforced Hydrogels. / Martin, Alma; Nyman, Jenny Natalie; Reinholdt, Rikke; Cai, Jun; Schaedel, Anna-Lena; Plas, Mariena J. A. van der; Malmsten, Martin; Rades, Thomas; Heinz, Andrea.
In: Nanomaterials, Vol. 12, No. 14, 2437, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - In Situ Transformation of Electrospun Nanofibers into Nanofiber-Reinforced Hydrogels
AU - Martin, Alma
AU - Nyman, Jenny Natalie
AU - Reinholdt, Rikke
AU - Cai, Jun
AU - Schaedel, Anna-Lena
AU - Plas, Mariena J. A. van der
AU - Malmsten, Martin
AU - Rades, Thomas
AU - Heinz, Andrea
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Nanofiber-reinforced hydrogels have recently gained attention in biomedical engineering. Such three-dimensional scaffolds show the mechanical strength and toughness of fibers while benefiting from the cooling and absorbing properties of hydrogels as well as a large pore size, potentially aiding cell migration. While many of such systems are prepared by complicated processes where fibers are produced separately to later be embedded in a hydrogel, we here provide proof of concept for a one-step solution. In more detail, we produced core-shell nanofibers from the natural proteins zein and gelatin by coaxial electrospinning. Upon hydration, the nanofibers were capable of directly transforming into a nanofiber-reinforced hydrogel, where the nanofibrous structure was retained by the zein core, while the gelatin-based shell turned into a hydrogel matrix. Our nanofiber-hydrogel composite showed swelling to ~800% of its original volume and water uptake of up to ~2500% in weight. The physical integrity of the nanofiber-reinforced hydrogel was found to be significantly improved in comparison to a hydrogel system without nanofibers. Additionally, tetracycline hydrochloride was incorporated into the fibers as an antimicrobial agent, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was confirmed.
AB - Nanofiber-reinforced hydrogels have recently gained attention in biomedical engineering. Such three-dimensional scaffolds show the mechanical strength and toughness of fibers while benefiting from the cooling and absorbing properties of hydrogels as well as a large pore size, potentially aiding cell migration. While many of such systems are prepared by complicated processes where fibers are produced separately to later be embedded in a hydrogel, we here provide proof of concept for a one-step solution. In more detail, we produced core-shell nanofibers from the natural proteins zein and gelatin by coaxial electrospinning. Upon hydration, the nanofibers were capable of directly transforming into a nanofiber-reinforced hydrogel, where the nanofibrous structure was retained by the zein core, while the gelatin-based shell turned into a hydrogel matrix. Our nanofiber-hydrogel composite showed swelling to ~800% of its original volume and water uptake of up to ~2500% in weight. The physical integrity of the nanofiber-reinforced hydrogel was found to be significantly improved in comparison to a hydrogel system without nanofibers. Additionally, tetracycline hydrochloride was incorporated into the fibers as an antimicrobial agent, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was confirmed.
U2 - 10.3390/nano12142437
DO - 10.3390/nano12142437
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35889661
VL - 12
JO - Journal of Nanomaterials
JF - Journal of Nanomaterials
SN - 1687-4110
IS - 14
M1 - 2437
ER -
ID: 314628481