Yuna Qian

Publications (3)9.77 Total impact

• Article: The use of hyaluronan to regulate protein adsorption and cell infiltration in nanofibrous scaffolds.

  Linhao Li, Yuna Qian, Chao Jiang, Yonggang Lv, Wanqian Liu, Li Zhong, Kaiyong Cai, Song Li, Li Yang
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  ABSTRACT: Electrospun nanofibers are prepared with mixtures of natural and synthetic polymers that can behave cooperatively to demonstrate combinations of mechanical, structural and biochemical properties for tissue engineering applications. However, the large surface area and inherent small pores of these structures give nanofibrous scaffolds high non-specific protein adsorption and poor cell infiltration. In this study, we developed a protein resistant and porous nanofibrous scaffold composed of hyaluronan (HA), silk fibroin (SF), and polycaprolactone (PCL) blends via one-step emulsion electrospinning. The scaffolds were characterized and evaluated for nanostructures, chemical composition, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and protein adsorption. Swelling and degradation studies revealed the formation of oriented pore structures within the body of the scaffolds and increasing the pore size between fibers. Addition of HA component transformed current PCL/SF components into hydrophilic fibers, which caused the suppression of non-specific protein adsorption, resulting in the reduction of fibrosis tissue thickness and macrophages adhesion in vivo. Importantly, HA-based scaffolds significantly enhanced cell infiltration in vitro and tissue ingrowth in vivo. In vitro cultivation of human primary skin fibroblasts on the HA-based scaffolds showed a significant increase in cell proliferation and filopodia protrusions, but decreased in collagen I production. Furthermore, HA and HA-based scaffolds interacted with cell surface receptor CD44 to activate TGF-β1/MMPs signaling pathways that conducive to cell migration. These findings suggest that such an HA-based nanofibrous scaffold resists protein adsorption and enhances cell infiltration, may offer possibilities to overcome the limitations of electrospinning technology.
  Biomaterials 04/2012; 33(12):3428-45. · 7.40 Impact Factor
• Article: Electrospun poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/silk fibroin core-sheath nanofibers and their potential applications in tissue engineering and drug release.

  Linhao Li, Haibin Li, Yuna Qian, Xian Li, Gurinder K Singh, Li Zhong, Wanqian Liu, Yonggang Lv, Kaiyong Cai, Li Yang
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  ABSTRACT: One of the key tenets of tissue engineering is to develop scaffold materials with favorable biodegradability, surface properties, outstanding mechanical strength and controlled drug release property. In this study, we generated core-sheath nanofibers composed of poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and silk fibroin (SF) blends via emulsion electrospinning. Nanofibrous scaffolds were characterized by combined techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle and tensile measurements. An in vitro FITC release study was conducted to evaluate sustained release potential of the core-sheath structured nanofibers. We found that the conformation of SF contained in PCL/SF composite nanofibers was transformed from random coil to β-sheet when treated with methanol, leading to improved crystallinity and tensile strength of nanofibrous scaffolds. The hydrophobicity and diameter of nanofibers decreased when we increased the content of SF in PCL/SF composite nanofibers. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of fabricated PCL/SF composite nanofibers as scaffold in vitro. The results confirmed that fabricated PCL/SF scaffolds improved cell attachment and proliferation. Our results demonstrated the feasibility to generate core-sheath nanofibers composed of PCL and SF using a single-nozzle technique. The produced nanofibrous scaffolds with sustained drug release have potential application in tissue engineering.
  International journal of biological macromolecules 08/2011; 49(2):223-32. · 2.37 Impact Factor
• Article: [Preparation and cytocompatibility study of poly (epsilon-caprolactone)/silk sericin nanofibrous scaffolds].

  Haibin Li, Linhao Li, Yuna Qian, Kaiyong Cai, Yonggang Lu, Li Zhong, Wanqian Liu, Li Yang
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  ABSTRACT: Three-dimensional poly (epsilon-caprolactone)/silk sericin (PCL/SS) porous nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning. The structure and properties of the scaffolds were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and water contact angle instrument. Studies on cell adhension and proliferation were carried out by culturing human primary skin fibroblast cells (FEK4) on these scaffolds using SEM and MTS. The experimental results showed that the PCL/SS nanofibrous scaffolds with SS nanoparticles had porous non-woven mesh structure with nanofibrous cross-linked with each other. Fiber diameter was very uniform and precise, and the secondary structure of SS protein had not been changed. Furthermore, the capability of hydrophile increased with the SS addition, which improved FEK4 cells adhesion and proliferation on the scaffolds.
  Sheng wu yi xue gong cheng xue za zhi = Journal of biomedical engineering = Shengwu yixue gongchengxue zazhi 04/2011; 28(2):305-9.