Modern tissue engineering requires not only degradable materials promoting cell growth and differentiation, but also vascularization of the engineered tissue. Porous polylactide/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL, ratio 3/5) foam scaffolds were prepared by a combined porogen leaching and freeze-drying technique using NaCl (crystal size 250–500 µm) and a water-soluble cellulose derivative (Klucel^TM E; 10–100% w/w relative to the total PLA/PCL concentration) as porogens. Scanning electron microscopy, micro-CT, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis showed that all scaffolds contained a trimodal range of pore sizes, i.e., macropores (average diameter 298–539 μm), micropores (100 nm to 10 μm), and nanopores (mostly around 3.0 nm). All scaffolds had an open porosity of about 90%, and the pores were interconnected. The size of the macropores and the nanoporosity were higher in the scaffolds prepared with Klucel. Nanoporosity increased water uptake by the scaffolds, while macroporosity promoted cell ingrowth, which was most evident in scaffolds prepared with 25% Klucel. Human adipose-derived stem cells co-cultured with endothelial cells formed pre-vascular structures in the scaffolds, which was further enhanced in a dynamic cell culture system. The scaffolds are promising for the engineering of pre-vascularized soft tissues (relatively pliable 10% Klucel scaffolds) and hard tissues (mechanically stronger 25% and 50% Klucel scaffolds).

Cross-linked poly(alkylene citrates) modified with l-glutathione exhibit photoluminescence, intrinsic antioxidant activity, and excellent biocompatibility, showing promise as multifunctional materials for vascular tissue engineering.

Here, we report the first systematic study of two distinct configurations of hexagonal silver nanoparticle (AgNP) microdomain arrays prepared on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using the laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) technique. By varying the size and spacing of the domains, we investigated how geometric parameters govern nanoparticle distribution, surface morphology, and biological response. AFM, SEM, CLSM, EDX, and XPS analyses revealed a pronounced gradient of AgNP density across the patterned surfaces, with the highest roughness and nanoparticle aggregation in domain centers, reduced coverage at the edges, and detectable but sparse particles in inter-domain gaps. Cross-section TEM further confirmed that nanoparticles are confined to a thin surface layer, ensuring high biological availability while minimizing uncontrolled leaching. Antibacterial activity assessment revealed that both Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) were reduced below the detection limit within two hours across all patterned surfaces, irrespective of domain size. Cytotoxicity tests using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) revealed that the cells adhered, proliferated, and remained metabolically active over a seven-day period, although their enzymatic activity and numbers were reduced compared to cells growing on pristine PET. These findings highlight the unique dual functionality of LIFT-fabricated AgNP microdomains, which exhibit rapid and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, combined with good cytocompatibility. The demonstrated ability to tune surface architecture by controlling domain size and spacing offers a promising pathway toward advanced antimicrobial coatings for medical devices and implants.

MXene flakes are promising materials for tissue engineering and biomaterial coating due to their 2D nature, appropriate surface chemistry and mechanical properties. However, MXene flakes (Ti3C2Tx) can degrade into potentially cytotoxic nano-TiO2, which can adversely affect cell behaviour on MXene-coated implants. In this work, we propose the covalent grafting of Ti3C2Tx flakes to block weak surface sites and prevent oxidation of the flakes. Two methods of covalent grafting – diazonium- or silane-based were used. The pristine or protected (i.e. covalently grafted) flakes were subsequently immobilised on the Ti implant surface. The impact of flake grafting methods on TiO2 formation was investigated during the ageing of the samples created (storage at ambient conditions). The immobilised flakes were evaluated in vitro using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-bm). The presence of ”as-prepared, fresh”, non-oxidised flakes on the Ti surface positively influenced the adhesion and growth of hMSC-bm. The previous oxidation of Ti3C2Tx flakes reduced cell adhesion and metabolic activity on the material. Conversely, covalent grafting suppressed oxidation and TiO2 formation and allowed the metabolic activity and number of attached cells to be maintained at levels comparable to those of cells cultivated on ”pristine”, non-oxidised flakes.