CONCLUSIONS

Here, an alternative seeding methodology has been proposed and evaluated to assess its possible use for a direct incorporation of chondrocytes onto electrospun scaffolds. Bio-electrospraying proved to be non-detrimental for chondrocytes under certain operational conditions. These include an intermediate NG (27G), not only to prevent cell shearing from a smaller NG, but also to avert the solicitation of higher voltages to establish a stable cone-jet mode from the higher NG; lower applied voltage (9 kV), since higher voltages can induce electrical and thermal damages to the cells; smaller NCD (5 cm), to prevent cell desiccation and increase the number of recovered cells; and an intermediate FR (2 to 5 mL/h) to prevent not only the shear stress on the cells of higher FR, but also to reduce the electrospraying duration and, the consequent, prolonged exposure to the electric field and lower temperatures and CO2 concentrations. The long-term proliferation studies revealed that chondrocyte proliferative ability was not affected, regardless of the employed operational conditions. These results suggest that in fact this technology might be a promising alternative to the existent cell seeding techniques, promoting not only cells safe delivery to the scaffold, but also the development of highly cellularized and uniform tissue constructs for cartilage repair.