Nanofibers and Nanosurfaces
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be influenced by various nano topologies and surface chemistry. Nano topologies
play a major role in the cell adhesion, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM)
generation and cell metabolism [3]. The natural ECM in which fibrous proteins and
proteoglycans whose size ranges from 50 to 500 nm consists mainly of collagen and
found extensively in tissues such as bone, skin, and tendons [2]. Further, chemical
signals and mechanical cues such as the elastic modulus of the surface are sensed
by the cells [4]. These signals dictate how cells grow and differentiate. Hence, it
is essential to understand the surface chemistry, mechanical properties and surface
topology of any new surface developed. Surface related failure is the initial sign of
understanding that alerts for an immediate repair action to be initiated [5, 4]. In case of
biomedical devices and materials used both internally and externally, it needs much
more caution as the materials to come in contact with human blood, blood is one of
the most complex liquids and it compatibility is dictated by the cells, platelet and
proteins in it. Hence, the surface of the implant should also be hemocompatible. Apart
from this, the environment might also contains bacteria, and live cells that come in
contact to the surface and the race between these two to adhere decides the fate of the
implant. This is also dictated by the surface properties. The significance of surface
is well established in the biomedical perception, and the dire need for analyzing
this surface and the constant research on improvising the surface for the implant’s
longevity is the real global challenge. Several studies reported on enhanced cellular
activity on nanofibers, nanotubes, nanophase oxides, and nano-HaP (Hydroxyapatite), which were of different shapes such as sphere, rosettes, needle, fibres etc. [6].
Thus, it is evident that the nanosurfaces’ surface energy profoundly influenced cell
activity through protein adhesion. Surface energy has two components polar and
dispersive components. The dispersive components are mainly due to the London
force between the solid and liquid, and the polar component is dictated by the surface
charge, which leads to dipole interaction between the surface and the liquid. When
there are nano architectures on the surface, these features can play a major role in
making a surface hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Without surface features, it is impossible to attain a superhydrophobic configuration (apparent contact angle > 150°). For
cardiovascular applications, we need blood repellent surfaces to reduce blood material interaction as that leads to blood clotting. Whereas, for bone applications, super
hydrophilic (apparent contact angle < 10°) surfaces are preferred for cell adhesion
and calcium deposition. Thus, tailoring the surfaces using nanotechnology has paved
a path for the induction of the right pathways for biomaterials’ cellular activity. The
field of tissue engineering demands the need for the development of scaffolds for
faster healing, and these scaffolds are developed using different processes like chemical synthesis, lyophilization, and spin coating. The most promising development of
fibrous materials results in the path-breaking advancement in tissue engineering, as it
helps develop very thin scaffolds, like the wound healing patches that can be loaded
with anti-microbial drugs. The potency of utilizing the nanofibers for various applications in the biomedical arena is critical, and a lot of research is going on around
the world in this aspect. Overall, in today’s scientific advancement, it could be seen
that the nanosurfaces and nanofibers modification processes could bring a paradigm
shift to the biomedical industry.
109
be influenced by various nano topologies and surface chemistry. Nano topologies
play a major role in the cell adhesion, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM)
generation and cell metabolism [3]. The natural ECM in which fibrous proteins and
proteoglycans whose size ranges from 50 to 500 nm consists mainly of collagen and
found extensively in tissues such as bone, skin, and tendons [2]. Further, chemical
signals and mechanical cues such as the elastic modulus of the surface are sensed
by the cells [4]. These signals dictate how cells grow and differentiate. Hence, it
is essential to understand the surface chemistry, mechanical properties and surface
topology of any new surface developed. Surface related failure is the initial sign of
understanding that alerts for an immediate repair action to be initiated [5, 4]. In case of
biomedical devices and materials used both internally and externally, it needs much
more caution as the materials to come in contact with human blood, blood is one of
the most complex liquids and it compatibility is dictated by the cells, platelet and
proteins in it. Hence, the surface of the implant should also be hemocompatible. Apart
from this, the environment might also contains bacteria, and live cells that come in
contact to the surface and the race between these two to adhere decides the fate of the
implant. This is also dictated by the surface properties. The significance of surface
is well established in the biomedical perception, and the dire need for analyzing
this surface and the constant research on improvising the surface for the implant’s
longevity is the real global challenge. Several studies reported on enhanced cellular
activity on nanofibers, nanotubes, nanophase oxides, and nano-HaP (Hydroxyapatite), which were of different shapes such as sphere, rosettes, needle, fibres etc. [6].
Thus, it is evident that the nanosurfaces’ surface energy profoundly influenced cell
activity through protein adhesion. Surface energy has two components polar and
dispersive components. The dispersive components are mainly due to the London
force between the solid and liquid, and the polar component is dictated by the surface
charge, which leads to dipole interaction between the surface and the liquid. When
there are nano architectures on the surface, these features can play a major role in
making a surface hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Without surface features, it is impossible to attain a superhydrophobic configuration (apparent contact angle > 150°). For
cardiovascular applications, we need blood repellent surfaces to reduce blood material interaction as that leads to blood clotting. Whereas, for bone applications, super
hydrophilic (apparent contact angle < 10°) surfaces are preferred for cell adhesion
and calcium deposition. Thus, tailoring the surfaces using nanotechnology has paved
a path for the induction of the right pathways for biomaterials’ cellular activity. The
field of tissue engineering demands the need for the development of scaffolds for
faster healing, and these scaffolds are developed using different processes like chemical synthesis, lyophilization, and spin coating. The most promising development of
fibrous materials results in the path-breaking advancement in tissue engineering, as it
helps develop very thin scaffolds, like the wound healing patches that can be loaded
with anti-microbial drugs. The potency of utilizing the nanofibers for various applications in the biomedical arena is critical, and a lot of research is going on around
the world in this aspect. Overall, in today’s scientific advancement, it could be seen
that the nanosurfaces and nanofibers modification processes could bring a paradigm
shift to the biomedical industry.