[EN] Abstract The main purpose of this thesis is the design and characterization of an experimental articular cartilage model. The in vitro model is composed of a macro and micro- porous Polycaprolactone scaffold with a Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) filling. The scaffold/hydrogel construct has been subjected to repeating number of freezing and thawing cycles in order to crosslink the hydrogel inside the scaffold's pores. The Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) resembles the growing cartilaginous tissue inside the scaffolds pores, as it gets denser and stiffer for each cycle of freezing and thawing. The in vitro model allows studying a variety of characteristics of the scaffold and hydrogel, revealing interesting features. The importance of water flow on the mechanical properties is studied, so as the influence of micro-porosity. It can be seen that the mechanical properties of the porous scaffolds are influenced in distinct ways by the hydrogel density and micro-porosity of the scaffold. The permeability of the scaffolds is studied and is seen independent of crosslinking density of the hydrogel inside the porous scaffolds. The experimental cartilage model has also been applied on a macro porous acrylic scaffold. The results show that the water has different effect on the mechanical properties, for macro, or macro and micro-porous scaffolds. The in vitro cartilage model has elastic modulus, aggregate modulus and permeability values in the same order as human articular cartilage. The model is useful to predict the mechanical behavior of porous scaffolds in vivo. A scaffold implant device for animal studies has been designed based on a previous patent of the research group, and implanted in two different in vivo trials in sheep. The results show that the fixation and anchoring to the subchondral bone improve the tissue repair and diminish alterations in the subchondral bone. ¿ / [ES] Resumen El objetivo principal de esta tesis doctoral es el diseño y caracterización de un modelo de cartílago articular experimental. El modelo in vitro se compone de un scaffold micro- y macroporoso de Policaprolactona con un relleno de Poli(Vinil Alcohol). El constructo scaffold/hidrogel ha sido sometido a ciclos consecutivos de congelación y descongelación con objeto de entrecruzar el hidrogel dentro de los poros del scaffold. El Poli(Vinil Alcohol) mimetiza al tejido de cartílago que se regenerará en los poros, ya que en cada ciclo de congelación y descongelación se vuelve más denso y duro. El modelo in vitro permite estudiar una gran variedad de características del scaffold e hidrogel, revelando fenómenos interesantes para la ingeniería tisular. Se ha estudiado la importancia del flujo de agua a través del scaffold en las propiedades mecánicas, así como la influencia de la microporosidad. Se ha podido constatar que la densidad del hidrogel y la microporosidad influyen de distinta forma en las propiedades mecánicas de los scaffolds porosos. Se ha estudiado la permeabilidad de los scaffolds, que ha resultado ser independiente de la densidad de entrecruzamiento del hidrogel dentro de sus poros. El modelo experimental de cartílago se ha aplicado también a un scaffold macroporoso acrílico. Los resultados muestran que el agua tiene un efecto distinto en las propiedades mecánicas de los scaffolds macroporosos y en los micro- macroporosos. El modelo de cartílago in vitro tiene valores del modulo elástico, módulo agregado y permeabilidad que son del mismo orden de magnitud que los del cartílago articular humano. El modelo permite predecir el comportamiento mecánico in vivo de scaffolds porosos. Se ha diseñado un dispositivo de implante de scaffold para experimentos en animales basado en una patente del grupo de investigación, que ha sido implantado en dos ensayos in vivo diferentes en ovejas. Los resultados muestran que la fijación y anclaje al hueso subcondral tiene un gran papel en la reparación del tejido. / [CA] Resum L'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi doctoral és el disseny i caracterització d'un model de cartílag articular experimental. El model in vitro es compon d'un scaffold micro- i macroporós de Policaprolactona amb un farciment de Poli(Vinil Alcohol). El constructe scaffold/hidrogel ha estat sotmès a cicles consecutius de congelació i descongelació amb l'objectiu d'entrecreuar l'hidrogel dins del porus del scaffold. El Poli(Vinil Alcohol) mimetitza al teixit de cartílag que es regenerarà en el porus, ja que en cada cicle de congelació i descongelació es torna més dens i dur. El model in vitro permet estudiar una gran varietat de característiques del scaffold i hidrogel, posant de manifest fenòmens interessants per a l'enginyeria tissular. S'ha estudiat la importància del flux d'aigua a través del scaffold en les propietats mecàniques, així com la influència de la microporositat. S'ha pogut constatar que la densitat de l'hidrogel i la microporositat influeixen de distinta manera en les propietats mecàniques dels scaffolds porosos. S'ha estudiat la permeabilitat dels scaffolds, que ha resultat ser independent de la densitat d'entrecreuament de l'hidrogel dins dels seus porus. El model experimental de cartílag s'ha aplicat també a un scaffold macroporós acrílic. Els resultats mostren que l'aigua té un efecte distint en les propietats mecàniques dels scaffolds macroporosos i en els micro- macroporosos. El model de cartílag in vitro té valors del mòdul elàstic, mòdul agregat i permeabilitat que són del mateix ordre de magnitud que els del cartílag articular humà. El model permet predir el comportament mecànic in vivo de scaffolds porosos. S'ha dissenyat un dispositiu d'implant de scaffold per a experiments en animals basat en una patent del grup d'investigació, que ha segut implantat en dos assaigs in vivo diferents en ovelles. Els resultats mostren que la fixació i ancoratge a l'os subcondral té un gran paper en la reparació del teixit. / Vikingsson, LKA. (2015). An experimental model to mimic the mechanical behavior of a scaffold in a cartilage defect [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/53912

Yes / Currently available replacement heart valves all have limitations. This study aimed to produce and characterize an acellular, biocompatible porcine pulmonary root conduit for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract e.g., during Ross procedure. A process for the decellularization of porcine pulmonary roots was developed incorporating trypsin treatment of the adventitial surface of the scraped pulmonary artery and sequential treatment with hypotonic Tris buffer (HTB; 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1% (w/v) EDTA, and 10 KIU aprotinin), 0.1% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate in HTB, two cycles of DNase and RNase, and sterilization with 0.1% (v/v) peracetic acid. Histology confirmed an absence of cells and retention of the gross histoarchitecture. Im-munohistochemistry further confirmed cell removal and partial retention of the extracellular matrix, but a loss of collagen type IV. DNA levels were reduced by more than 96% throughout all regions of the acellular tissue and no functional genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction. Total collagen levels were retained but there was a significant loss of glycosaminoglycans following decellularization. The biomechanical, hydrody-namic, and leaflet kinematics properties were minimally affected by the process. Both immunohistochemical labeling and antibody absorption assay confirmed a lack of a-gal epitopes in the acellular porcine pulmonary roots and in vitro biocompatibility studies indicated that acellular leaflets and pulmonary arteries were not cytotoxic. Overall the acellular porcine pulmonary roots have excellent potential for development of a tissue substitute for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction e.g., during the Ross procedure.

Yes / Fabrication of extracellular matrix (ECM)-like scaffolds (in terms of structural-functional) is the main challenge in skin tissue engineering. Herein, inspired by macromolecular components of ECM, a novel hybrid scaffold suggested which includes silk/hyaluronan (SF/HA) bio-complex modified by PCP: [polyethylene glycol/chitosan/poly(ɛ-caprolactone)] copolymer containing collagen to differentiate human-adipose-derived stem cells into keratinocytes. In followed by, different weight ratios (wt%) of SF/HA (S1:100/0, S2:80/20, S3:50/50) were applied to study the role of SF/HA in the improvement of physicochemical and biological functions of scaffolds. Notably, the combination of electrospinning-like and freeze-drying methods was also utilized as a new method to create a coherent 3D-network. The results indicated this novel technique was led to ~8% improvement of the scaffold's ductility and ~17% decrease in mean pore diameter, compared to the freeze-drying method. Moreover, the increase of HA (>20wt%) increased porosity to 99%, however, higher tensile strength, modulus, and water absorption% were related to S2 (38.1, 0.32 MPa, 75.3%). More expression of keratinocytes along with growth pattern similar to skin was also observed on S2. This study showed control of HA content creates a microporous-environment with proper modulus and swelling%, although, the role of collagen/PCP as base biocomposite and fabrication technique was undeniable on the inductive signaling of cells. Such a scaffold can mimic skin properties and act as the growth factor through inducing keratinocytes differentiation.

Um eine verbesserte Therapieoption mit weniger Schmerzen und Nebenwirkun-gen für Patienten mit Depigmentierungsstörungen wie Vitiligo zu entwickeln, wurde eine Methode zur nichtinvasiven Gewinnung von autologen Melanozyten aus der Haarwurzel genutzt. Die Haarwurzel als einfach zugängliches Stammzell-reservoir bietet die Möglichkeit, Vorläufermelanozyten aus der äußeren Haar-wurzelscheide zu isolieren, differenzieren und zu proliferieren. Für zukünftige autologe Transplantationsversuche wurden in dieser Arbeit die kultivierten hu-manen Melanozyten aus der äußeren Haarwurzelscheide (Human Melanocytes from the Outer Root Sheath, HUMORS) auf drei unterschiedlichen Scaffolds getes-tet. Hinsichtlich mitochondrialer Aktivität (Marker für Zellproliferation), mela-nozytenspezifischer Markerexpression und ihrer Funktionalität (Tyrosinase-Enzymaktivität und Melaningehalt) wurden die Zellen auf Collagen Cell Carrier® (CCC), Poly-ε-Caprolacton-Scaffolds (PCL) und kollagen basierten Hydrogelen (cGEL) kultiviert und charakterisiert. Alle Scaffolds waren biokompatibel, immu-nologisch nur gering aktiv und wiesen eine dreidimensionale Struktur auf, die der extrazellulären Matrix nachempfunden war. Einen positiven Effekt auf die Prolife-ration wiesen die HUMORS auf den Collagen Cell Carrier® auf. Bei Untersuchun-gen der melanotischen Aktivität überzeugten die HUMORS auf dem cGEL Typ4 durch einen signifikant höheren Melaningehalt. Da Melanin das entscheidende Produkt der Repigmentierung bei Vitiligoläsionen ist, stellte sich damit das cGEL Typ4 als vielversprechender Zellträger für die Kultivierung und vorgesehene Transplantation der Melanozyten heraus.

Il existe plus de 100 formes de pathologies hépatiques causées par divers facteurs et touchant une grande quantité de personnes. Mais, le seul traitement pour les maladies du foie en phase terminale est la greffe du foie. Cependant, la greffe de foie échoue souvent à cause du déficit en donneurs hépatiques. Récemment, une nouvelle alternative innovante pour traiter les maladies du foie apparaît : les organes auto-construits. En ingénierie tissulaire du foie, la source de cellules, l’échafaudage décellularisé du foie et les bioréacteurs, sont des facteurs à prendre en compte. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est d’étudier deux étapes nécessaires au développement d’un foie artificiel : les cellules et la décellularisation de l’organe. Tout d’abord, nous avons prélevé et caractérisé les cellules souches mésenchymateuses de la gelée de wharton (CSMs-GW) CSMs-GW et nous avons étudié leur potentiel de différenciation en hépatocytes. La deuxième étape du travail est consacrée à la décellularisation du foie. Nous avons obtenu des scaffolds acellulaires par la perfusion continue avec du SDS 1% et triton-X100 1%. En conclusion, cette étude montre la capacité de CSM-GW de se différencier en hépatocytes et la faisabilité de la décellularisation du foie. Ceci ouvre des perspectives intéressantes pour le développement d’un foie artificiel et le traitement des pathologies hépatiques / There are over 100 forms of liver diseases caused by various factors and affecting a lot of people. Unfortunately, the only treatment of a terminal liver disease is liver transplantation. However, liver transplantation often fails because of the deficit in human liver donors. Recently, a new innovative alternative for treating end-stage liver disease appears: self-built organ. In liver tissue engineering the source of cells, the decellularized liver scaffold and circular culture bioreactor, are essential factors to be taken into account. The objective of this thesis is to study two steps needed for the development of an artificial liver : cells and organ decellularization. In the first stage, we collected and characterize Wharton’s-Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), and their differentiation potential into hepatocytes. In the second stage of the work, we developed a method for liver decellularization. We were able to get acellular scaffolds by continuous perfusion with 1% SDS and Triton X100 1%. In conclusion, this study shows the capability of WJ-MSC to be differentiated into hepatocytes and the feasibility to obtain acellular livers. That open perspectives toward the development of an artificial liver and the treatment of liver diseases

As cerâmicas porosas empregadas na substituição óssea, são utilizadas por apresentarem características como biocompatibilidade, ter estrutura tridimensional e apresentar alta porosidade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho foi obter e caracterizar cerâmicas porosas de Al2O3 e Al2O3 contendo 5% em volume de inclusões de ZrO2, produzidas pelo método da réplica. Essas cerâmicas porosas tiveram sua superfície tratada quimicamente com ácido fosfórico e foram recobertos, com fosfato de cálcio usando o método biomimético, em solução de SBF 5X (Simulated Body Fluid) por um período de incubação de 14 dias. Após o recobrimento, algumas cerâmicas porosas foram tratadas quimicamente para incorporação do Sr2+. Em seguida foram caracterizadas morfologicamente e estruturalmente usando ensaios de compressão axial, porosidade aparente, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microtomografia de Raio X (µ-CT), difratometria de Raio X (DRX), Espectroscopia de Infravermelho Próximo (NIR), emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES), Energia Dispersiva de Raio-X (EDS) e por Ensaios biológicos utilizando cultura de células para análise de viabilidade celular. As cerâmicas porosas de alumina e alumina-zircônia apresentaram, respectivamente, porosidade aparente de 80,93 % e 78,82 %, resistência à compressão axial, 2,93 MPa e 6,59 MPa, além de uma ampla faixa de tamanho de poros de, desejáveis para o favorecimento de interesses biológicos destinados à regeneração e formação de tecido ósseo. O recobrimento biomimético usando SBF 5X produziu a formação das fases α-TCP, β-TCP, TTCP e Hidroxiapatita, usando período de incubação de 14 dias. A incorporação de Sr2+ na estrutura dos fosfatos mostrou-se mais eficientes nos corpos porosos de alumina-zircônia. Os ensaios in vitro mostraram a biocompatibilidade das cerâmicas porosas estudadas, demonstrando a possibilidade de sua utilização como material para substituição ou preenchimento ósseo. / The porous ceramics used in bone substitution are used because they present characteristics as biocompatibility, have a three - dimensional structure and have high porosity. In this sense, the objective of this work was to obtain and characterize porous ceramics of Al2O3 and Al2O3 containing 5% by volume of ZrO2 inclusions, produced by the replica method. These porous ceramics were chemically treated with phosphoric acid and were coated with calcium phosphate using the biomimetic method in 5X SBF solution (Simulated Body Fluid) for a 14 day incubation period. After coating, some porous ceramics were chemically treated for Sr2+ incorporation. They were then characterized morphologically and structurally using axial compression, apparent porosity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microtomography (µ-CT), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Near Infrared (NIR) Coupled (ICP-OES), X-ray Dispersive Energy (EDS) and Biological Assays using cell culture for cell viability analysis. The porous ceramics of alumina and alumina-zirconia showed, respectively, 80.93% and 78.82% apparent porosity, axial compression strength, 2.93 MPa and 6.59 MPa, as well as a wide range of pore size, desirable for the promotion of biological interests destined to the regeneration and formation of bone tissue. Biomimetic coated using SBF 5X produced the formation of α-TCP, β-TCP, TTCP and Hydroxyapatite phases using a 14-day incubation period. The incorporation of Sr2+ in the phosphate structure proved to be more efficient in porous alumina-zirconia bodies. The in vitro tests showed the biocompatibility of the porous ceramics studied, demonstrating the possibility of their use as material for bone replacement or filling.

The study of internal structure of materials has always been an essential issue in a variety of application fields, from the medical radiology to the materials science. X-ray computed microtomography (with both conventional and synchrotron radiation sources) has a great potential for these purposes because its three-dimensional and non destructive nature as well as the fact that it does not require any sample preparation and it allows to study samples under stress or after consecutive treatments. The recent developments of new X-ray sources with innovative imaging techniques, as well as novel high resolution detectors, allow moving forward the maximum achievable resolution of this technique to a few micrometers or even less. This contributed to increase its application in biomedical purposes, but also to raise the need for quantitative analysis of the reconstructed data. Indeed in most of the cases a quantitative characterization of the samples microstructures is needed to better understand their physical and chemical behavior, the effects of manufacturing process or the response to stress. Dedicated software packages have been developed to perform a geometrical and morphological characterization of the samples texture and to evaluate some typical parameters commonly used to classify porous media such as porosity, cell size distribution, connectivity and anisotropy. In this work two case studies have been considered for the application of a quantitative analysis approach to microtomography datasets: the first concerns the characterization of bone ingrowth within tissue engineering scaffolds, while the second is related to the extraction of morphological descriptors for the architecture of human skull bones. It will be shown how suitable image processing and analysis techniques are able to effectively quantify significant parameters such as the trabecular thickness of the skull bones as well as the porosity and the degree of connectivity of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Similar quantitative analysis methods applied to microtomography images have to be considered as an effective methodology for a comprehensive characterization of other biomedical samples.

As cerâmicas porosas empregadas na substituição óssea, são utilizadas por apresentarem características como biocompatibilidade, ter estrutura tridimensional e apresentar alta porosidade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho foi obter e caracterizar cerâmicas porosas de Al2O3 e Al2O3 contendo 5% em volume de inclusões de ZrO2, produzidas pelo método da réplica. Essas cerâmicas porosas tiveram sua superfície tratada quimicamente com ácido fosfórico e foram recobertos, com fosfato de cálcio usando o método biomimético, em solução de SBF 5X (Simulated Body Fluid) por um período de incubação de 14 dias. Após o recobrimento, algumas cerâmicas porosas foram tratadas quimicamente para incorporação do Sr2+. Em seguida foram caracterizadas morfologicamente e estruturalmente usando ensaios de compressão axial, porosidade aparente, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microtomografia de Raio X (µ-CT), difratometria de Raio X (DRX), Espectroscopia de Infravermelho Próximo (NIR), emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES), Energia Dispersiva de Raio-X (EDS) e por Ensaios biológicos utilizando cultura de células para análise de viabilidade celular. As cerâmicas porosas de alumina e alumina-zircônia apresentaram, respectivamente, porosidade aparente de 80,93 % e 78,82 %, resistência à compressão axial, 2,93 MPa e 6,59 MPa, além de uma ampla faixa de tamanho de poros de, desejáveis para o favorecimento de interesses biológicos destinados à regeneração e formação de tecido ósseo. O recobrimento biomimético usando SBF 5X produziu a formação das fases α-TCP, β-TCP, TTCP e Hidroxiapatita, usando período de incubação de 14 dias. A incorporação de Sr2+ na estrutura dos fosfatos mostrou-se mais eficientes nos corpos porosos de alumina-zircônia. Os ensaios in vitro mostraram a biocompatibilidade das cerâmicas porosas estudadas, demonstrando a possibilidade de sua utilização como material para substituição ou preenchimento ósseo. / The porous ceramics used in bone substitution are used because they present characteristics as biocompatibility, have a three - dimensional structure and have high porosity. In this sense, the objective of this work was to obtain and characterize porous ceramics of Al2O3 and Al2O3 containing 5% by volume of ZrO2 inclusions, produced by the replica method. These porous ceramics were chemically treated with phosphoric acid and were coated with calcium phosphate using the biomimetic method in 5X SBF solution (Simulated Body Fluid) for a 14 day incubation period. After coating, some porous ceramics were chemically treated for Sr2+ incorporation. They were then characterized morphologically and structurally using axial compression, apparent porosity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microtomography (µ-CT), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Near Infrared (NIR) Coupled (ICP-OES), X-ray Dispersive Energy (EDS) and Biological Assays using cell culture for cell viability analysis. The porous ceramics of alumina and alumina-zirconia showed, respectively, 80.93% and 78.82% apparent porosity, axial compression strength, 2.93 MPa and 6.59 MPa, as well as a wide range of pore size, desirable for the promotion of biological interests destined to the regeneration and formation of bone tissue. Biomimetic coated using SBF 5X produced the formation of α-TCP, β-TCP, TTCP and Hydroxyapatite phases using a 14-day incubation period. The incorporation of Sr2+ in the phosphate structure proved to be more efficient in porous alumina-zirconia bodies. The in vitro tests showed the biocompatibility of the porous ceramics studied, demonstrating the possibility of their use as material for bone replacement or filling.

L’objectif de cette thèse était de développer de nouveaux biomatériaux nanofibreux architecturés (2D ou 3D) grâce à la méthode d’électrospinning puis d’étudier l’influence de ces structures nanofibreuses sur le comportement des cellules osseuses. L’électrospinning est une technique qui permet d’obtenir des nanofibres en projetant sous l’action d’un champ électrique intense une solution de polymère sur un collecteur. Les nanofibres sont alors généralement disposées aléatoirement sous forme de mats (ou scaffolds). Ces scaffolds trouvent des applications en ingénierie tissulaire grâce à leur structure mimant la matrice extracellulaire des tissus vivants. Toutefois, il a été montré que lorsque le collecteur est micro-structuré, il est alors possible de contrôler l’organisation des fibres lors de leur dépôt grâce à la perturbation locale du champ électrique au voisinage de la surface du collecteur. Ces collecteurs architecturés jouent ainsi le rôle de « templates » électrostatiques. Dans un premier temps, nous avons développé des scaffolds 2D nanofibreux monocomposants en forme de nids d’abeilles grâce à l’utilisation d’un collecteur micro-structuré en nids d’abeilles lors du procédé d’électrospinning. Ces scaffolds ont été développés à partir de deux biopolyesters le poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) ou le poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Nous avons prouvé que la morphologie des nanofibres de PCL (distribution bimodale du diamètre des fibres) conduisait à un scaffold présentant un relief beaucoup plus marqué alors qu’avec les fibres de PLA, qui présentent une distribution monomodale du diamètre des fibres, les scaffolds obtenus sont beaucoup plus plats. Nous avons montré qu’il est possible de contrôler l’organisation spatiale de cellules osseuses de type MG-63, des ostéoblastes, en jouant sur le relief et l’architecture du scaffold. Puis, nous avons démontré qu’en couplant la micro-structuration des nanofibres de PCL (par l’utilisation d’un collecteur en nid d’abeilles lors du procédé d’électrospinning) avec les propriétés d’auto-assemblage du PCL, nous pouvions élaborer de nouveaux scaffolds nanofibreux 3D ayant la particularité de présenter des pores de tailles contrôlées ainsi qu’un gradient de porosité dans l’épaisseur du scaffold. Puis nous nous sommes intéressés à l’élaboration de membranes composites micro-structurées 2D et 3D. En couplant le procédé d’électrospinning avec le procédé d’électrospraying sur des collecteur micro-structurés, nous avons démontré que nous pouvions déposer de manière contrôlée les particules spécialement sur les murs des nids d’abeilles grâce notamment à la présence d’une très fine couche de fibres électrospinnées au préalable sur le collecteur. Cette fine couche de nanofibres joue le rôle de « template électrostatique » pour le dépôt des particules. Nous avons ensuite appliqué cette technique pour développer des membranes composites nanofibreuses bicouches à base de nanofibres de PCL et de microparticules d’hydroxyapatite (HA). Ces membranes composées de 21 microarchitectures différentes (barres, plots, hexagones, labyrinthe) ont ensuite été intégrées dans des mini plaques de culture cellulaire, formant ainsi un nouveau type de biopuce, appelés biochips, qui permettent pour le screening des microarchitectures nanofibreuses. Enfin, en combinant simultanément l’électrospinning de nanofibres et l’électrospraying de particules sur des collecteur micro-structurés en nid d’abeilles, des scaffolds composites 3D présentant des pores cylindriques de tailles contrôlées ont été élaborés. / The aim of this thesis was to develop new architectured nanofibrous biomaterials (2D or 3D) using the electrospinning method and to study the influence of these nanofibrous structures on bone cells behaviors. Electrospinning is a technique allowing the production of nanofibers by projecting, under the action of a strong electric field, a polymer solution on a collector. The nanofibers are generally randomly deposited and form mats or scaffolds. These scaffolds are interesting for tissue engineering applications because of their structure mimicking the extracellular matrix of living tissues. However, it has been shown that when the collector is microstructured, it is possible to control the organization of the fibers during their deposition through the local perturbation of the electric field at the vicinity of the surface of the collector. These micropatterned collectors act as "electrostatic templates". First, 2D honeycomb nanofibrous scaffolds were elaborated using micropatterned honeycomb collectors during the electrospinning process. These scaffolds were made either with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(lactic acid) (PLA). We showed that the morphology of the PCL nanofibers (bimodal distribution of the fiber diameter) led to a scaffold with a strong relief. Despite, with PLA fibers which presented a monomodal distribution of the fiber diameter, the obtained scaffolds were much flatter. It was possible to control the spatial organization of bone-like cells MG-63 (osteoblasts), playing on the relief and the architecture of the scaffold. Subsequently, 3D materials were elaborated using micropatterned collectors in order to open new paths for the development of filling materials for bone regeneration. Microstructuration of PCL nanofibers (by the use of micropatterned honeycomb collector during the electrospinning process) coupled with the self-assembling properties of the PCL lead to the development of new 3D nanofibrous scaffolds, with controlled pore size and porosity gradient in the thickness of the scaffold. Afterwards, micropatterned composite 2D and 3D membranes were elaborated. By coupling the process of electrospinning with the process of electrospraying on micropatterned collector, we demonstrated that we can deposit the particles in a controlled way, especially on the walls of honeycomb patterns thanks to the presence of a thin fiber layer first deposited on the collector. This thin nanofiber layer plays the role of an "electrostatic template" for the particles deposition. Thereafter, this technique was applied to develop bilayers composite nanofibrous membranes containing PCL nanofibers and hydroxyapatite (HA) microparticles. These membranes consisted of 21 different microarchitectures (bars, blocks, hexagons, maze) were then incorporated into a small cell culture plate, thereby forming a new type of biochip for the screening of nanofibrous architectures. Indeed, these biochips allowed the screening of nanofibrous microarchitectures to identify the most relevant for bone regeneration. It turned out that the HA hexagonal structures (with an average diameter of 300 microns) and circular HA structures (with an average diameter of 150 microns) are the structures that enhance the most the mineralization process of bone cells. Finally, by combining simultaneously electrospinning nanofibers and electrospraying particles on micropatterned honeycomb collector, 3D composite scaffolds were elaborated. It was possible to control the size of cylindrical pores of these 3D composite from tens to hundreds of microns by changing the size of the honeycomb patterns of the collector.

Researches from different fields around the world are searching for both new sources of biomaterials and potential hepatocytes in order to supply drug tests, cell therapies, and cell transplantation as alternative therapeutic support to liver diseases and injuries. Placenta may be eligible as a new model in tissue engineering due to its rich extracellular matrix (ECM) and availability after birth. Placental scaffolds were produced by decellularization with 0.01, 0.1 and 1% SDS, and 1% Triton X-100 which were valued by means of structure and composition. Afterwards, placental scaffolds were co-cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblasts in a tridimensional (3D) rotating system. Placental scaffolds presented a well-preserved acellular ECM containing 9.42 ± 5.2 ng dsDNA per mg of ECM. Weak collagen I of the natives clearly appears in decellularized ECM while the collagen III, once well observed in native placenta, it was absent on scaffolds. This interesting observation may have been due to the solubilization SDS-induced of the collagen III fibrils during decellularization. Fibronectin was well-observed in placental scaffolds whereas laminin and collagen IV were strongly stained. Recellularized with fibroblasts by a 3D culture system, placental scaffolds showed potential for repopulation, with cells adhered throughout its acellular ECM. Placental scaffolds were then newly recellularized, aiming now for differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into hepatic cells. In a protocol of 23 days, it was simulated major events of liver embryonic development by adding growth factors. As result, a high index of cells adhered, proliferated and migrated throughout outer and inner scaffolds ECM surface. Absence of Oct4 and Nanog showed that Activin A and Wnt3a (d0-6) induced primitive endoderm fate, and negative label for Foxa2 and Sox17 representing BMP4 and FGF2 (d6-10) differentiation-induced generating definitive endoderm cells. Also, FGF1, FGF4 and FG8b (d10-14) induced hepatoblast phenotype cells, that were observed positive for AFP and CK7 markers. Finally, HGF and FS-288 (d14-23) induced to hepatocyte-like cells, positive for CK18 and Alb markers. The hepatocyte-like cells functional aspects were observed by glycogen storage. Though a heterogeneous cell hepatic lineage was confirmed, mouse placental scaffolds shown a useful model to support recellularization with simultaneous differentiation into hepatic fate simulating phases of embryonic development. / Pesquisas de diferentes campos ao redor do Mundo estão em busca de novas fontes tanto de biomateriais, quanto de potenciais hepatócitos, a fim de suprir testes de drogas, terapias celulares e transplante de células, como suporte terapêutico alternativo para doenças e lesões hepáticas. Placentas podem ser elegíveis como um novo modelo em Engenharia Tecidual em decorrência de sua rica matriz extracelular (ECM), e disponibilidade após o nascimento. Os scaffolds placentários foram produzidos por decelularização com SDS 0,01, 0,1 e 1% e Triton X-100 1%, os quais foram avaliados por meio da estrutura e composição. Posteriormente, os scaffolds placentários foram co-cultivados com fibroblastos embrionários de camundongos em um sistema rotativo tridimensional (3D). Os scaffolds placentários apresentaram uma MEC acelular bem conservada, contendo 9,42 ± 5,2 ng/dsDNA/mg/MEC. O fraco colágeno I nos nativos aparece claramente na MEC descelularizada, enquanto o colágeno III bem visível na placenta nativa estava ausente nos scaffolds. Esta observação interessante pode decorrido da solubilização das fibrilas de colágeno III, induzida pelo SDS durante a decelularização. A fibronectina foi bem observada nos scaffolds placentários, enquanto a laminina e o colágeno IV estiveram fortemente marcados. Recelularizados com fibroblastos por um sistema de cultura 3D, os scaffolds placentários mostraram potencial para repovoamento, com células aderidas ao longo de sua MEC acelular. Os scaffolds placentários foram então novamente recelularizados, visando agora a diferenciação de células tronco-embrionárias de camundongos em células hepáticas. Em um protocolo de 23 dias, foram simulados os grandes eventos do desenvolvimento embrionário do fígado, pela adição de fatores de crescimento. Como resultado, um alto índice de células aderiu, proliferou e migrou através das superfícies externa e interna dos scaffolds. A ausência de Oct4 e Nanog demostraram que o Activin A e o Wnt3a (d0-6) induziram o destino endoderma primitivo, e a marcação negativa para Foxa2 e Sox17 representaram a geração de células endodermais definitivas pela diferenciação induzida por BMP4 e FGF2 (d6-10). Ainda, FGF1, FGF4 e FG8b (d10-14) induziram células do fenótipo hepatoblasto, que foram observadas positivas para os marcadores AFP e CK7. Finalmente, HGF e FS-288 (d14-23) induziram as células hepatocyte-like, positivas para os marcadores CK18 e Alb. The hepatocyte-like cells functional aspects were observed by glycogen storage. Though a heterogeneous cell hepatic lineage was confirmed, mouse placental scaffolds shown a useful model to support recellularization with simultaneous differentiation into hepatic fate simulating phases of embryonic development. Os aspectos funcionais das células hepatocyte-like foi observada pelo armazenamento de glicogênio. Embora uma linhagem hepática formada por células heterogêneas tenha sido confirmada, os scaffolds placentários de camundongos se mostraram um modelo útil para sustentar a recelularização com simultânea diferenciação em destino hepático, simulando fases do desenvolvimento embrionário.