Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ultra-thin films (nanofilms) came up in the last years as novel materials for therapeutic and surgical applications, as well as conceptually new tools in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The present chapter describes the preparation methods to obtain PLA structures with a nanometric thickness and a large surface area, reporting the main features of such devices and the possibilities of functionalizing them by means of the inclusion in the polymeric matrix of nanoparticles with targeted physical properties. In vitro evidences regarding the interactions of mammalian cells with PLA nanofilms are described, based on studies carried out with fibroblasts, skeletal and cardiac muscle cells, osteoblasts, and rat and human mesenchymal stem cells. The application of PLA ultra-thin films for in vitro tissue regeneration and in vivo applications are also described, highlighting the novel contribution that such structures could bring in comparison with traditional biomaterials and bioengineering approaches.
Bioengineering applications of ultra-thin poly(lactic acid) nanofilms towards cell-based smart biomaterials
RICOTTI, Leonardo;PENSABENE, Virginia;MENCIASSI, Arianna
2012-01-01
Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ultra-thin films (nanofilms) came up in the last years as novel materials for therapeutic and surgical applications, as well as conceptually new tools in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The present chapter describes the preparation methods to obtain PLA structures with a nanometric thickness and a large surface area, reporting the main features of such devices and the possibilities of functionalizing them by means of the inclusion in the polymeric matrix of nanoparticles with targeted physical properties. In vitro evidences regarding the interactions of mammalian cells with PLA nanofilms are described, based on studies carried out with fibroblasts, skeletal and cardiac muscle cells, osteoblasts, and rat and human mesenchymal stem cells. The application of PLA ultra-thin films for in vitro tissue regeneration and in vivo applications are also described, highlighting the novel contribution that such structures could bring in comparison with traditional biomaterials and bioengineering approaches.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
