Hierarchical assembly of electrospun nanofibers for the next generation tissue repairing materials

Abstract

Tissue engineering, an interdisciplinary field uniting biology, chemistry, medical science and materialogy, aims to fabricate artificial scaffolds emulating the natural human tissue with diverse structures. Among the various methods for creating artificial scaffolds, electrospinning can produce nanofiber fiber aggregate tissue repair materials which is similar to extracellular matrix expediently. This method yields nonwoven scaffolds usually possess boasting attributes such as a substantial surface area, multidimensional assembly capability, ease of functionalization for diverse purposes, and controllable mechanical properties. Owing to these advantages, electrospinning technology has propelled significant progress in the development of nanofiber scaffolds for regenerative repair in recent years. This article presents a comprehensive overview of foundational design principles underpinning the theoretical basis of electrospun fiber scaffolds. Key considerations, including cell types, environmental impact, preparation methods, and biomimetic structural design, are explored. Following this, we investigate in detail scaffolds assembled from electrospun nanofibers with varied dimensional, elucidating their applications in tissue engineering. Lastly, we offer an outlook about the challenges and development trend in order to provide a forward-looking perspective for researchers and practitioners in the field.