Aligned and electrospun piezoelectric polymer fiber assembly and scaffold

• US 10,196,603 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
• Original Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
• Inventors: Scott Carnell, Lisa A., Siochi, Emilie J., Holloway, Nancy M., Leong, Kam W., Kulangara, Karina
• Primary Examiner(s): Berke-Schlessel, David W
• Application Number:
  US15/668,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20170355954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/12 Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/28 Bone marrow; Haematopoietic stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells of any origin, e.g. adipose-derived stem cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/16 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3834 Cells able to produce different cell types, e.g. hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, marrow stromal cells, embryonic stem cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/00 Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 27/16 Homopolymers or copolymers or vinylidene fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/082 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2529/00 Culture process characterised by the use of electromagnetic stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/30 Synthetic polymers thermoreactive polymers, e.g. PNIPAm, C12N2539/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0068 General culture methods using substrates for specific animal cell type C12N5/06

Abstract

A method of manufacturing and/or using a scaffold assembly for stem cell culture and tissue engineering applications is disclosed. The scaffold at least partially mimics a native biological environment by providing biochemical, topographical, mechanical and electrical cues by using an electroactive material. The assembly includes at least one layer of substantially aligned, electrospun polymer fiber having an operative connection for individual voltage application. A method of cell tissue engineering and/or stem cell differentiation that uses the assembly seeded with a sample of cells suspended in cell culture media, incubates and applies voltage to one or more layers, and thus produces cells and/or a tissue construct. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing the assembly including the steps of providing a first pre-electroded substrate surface; electrospinning a first substantially aligned polymer fiber layer onto the first surface; providing a second pre-electroded substrate surface; electrospinning a second substantially aligned polymer fiber layer onto the second surface; and, retaining together the layered surfaces with a clamp and/or an adhesive compound.

Claims

1. A method of cell tissue engineering and/or stem cell differentiation, said method comprising:

(a) providing an assembly having at least two layers of substantially aligned, electrospun polymer fiber having an operative connection for individual voltage application to each layer;

(b) seeding the assembly with a sample of cells suspended in cell culture media;

(c) incubating for an effective time period;

(d) applying an effective voltage to one or more layers; and

(e) recovering cells and/or a tissue construct.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer fiber comprises an electroactive polymer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electroactive polymer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mechanically stimulating one or more layers.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using the recovered cells and/or the tissue construct to treat a human disability or disease condition.