Electrospun nanofiber/hydrogel composite materials and their tissue engineering applications

Electrospun nanofiber/hydrogel composites combine the excellent biochemical properties of hydrogel with the biomimetic nature of electrospun fibers, and have attracted widespread attention in the last few years. Besides, nanofiber/hydrogel composites with tunable mechanical properties can mimic the microstructure of extracellular matrix (ECM) of various tissues and the microenvironment of different cells. These features enable electrospun fiber/hydrogel composites have uniquely advantageous for tissue repair. However, a comprehensive review of electrospun fiber/hydrogel composites as tissue engineering scaffolds is still lacking. Thus, this article systematically reviewed the preparation of electrospun fiber/hydrogel composites and their application in tissue engineering. First, the preparation strategies of electrospun fiber/hydrogel composites are classified and discussed. Second, the application of electrospun fiber/hydrogel-based scaffolds in tissue engineering, involving skin, blood vessel, nerve, bone and other tissue engineering, are summarized. Finally, future research directions for functional electrospun fiber/hydrogel scaffold materials are proposed.