Nanoengineered biomaterials for tendon/ligament regeneration

Tendons and ligaments are the major connective tissues that enable the motion of the musculoskeletal system. Tendons and ligaments are fibrous tissues that usually connect muscle to bone and bone to bone, respectively, as well as aid in the transmission of loads between the bones. These tissues have a very low healing capability and often need surgical intervention to aid in healing. However, the current treatment options, such as autograft, allograft, and prosthetic devices, have severe shortcomings and long-term performance issues. Several strategies that use natural and synthetic polymers to develop scaffolds that aid in tissue regeneration are emerging. The ability of nanomaterials to mimic the native extracellular matrix and its ability to aid in cellular activity make these materials suitable candidates for scaffold fabrication. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the nanofibers enables good cellular adhesion and spreading, and the interconnected pores facilitate nutrient and oxygen transfer. Nanofibers developed by electrospinning are emerging as an interesting approach to developing scaffolds that can mimic the tendon and ligament morphology and facilitate regeneration. This chapter focuses on the basic structure and function of tendons and ligaments and on their injury and repair mechanisms. The chapter also discusses various tissue engineering approaches for the regeneration of tendons and ligaments, with an emphasis on nanoengineered constructs and their role in tissue regeneration.