A METHOD FOR PRODUCING LEATHER USING CELL CULTURE ON A MACROPOROUS POLYMER FRAMEWORK WITH A HONEYCOMB STRUCTURE

Claims

1. A method of producing leather, comprising the following stages: i) in vitro cultivation of fibroblasts on a macroporous polymer scaffold with a honeycomb structure to obtain tissue, wherein the surface of said framework contains macropores with a diameter of 100 to 280 μm, more preferably from 110 to 225 μm with a distribution of pore area on the surface of 40% to 95% and a pore wall thickness of less than 70 μm, ii) tanning the said fabric to obtain the said leather.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a polyester, preferably a biodegradable polyester and / or a polyester based on bioresources.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said framework comprises a polyester, preferably a biodegradable polyester and / or a bio-based polyester, in a concentration of 1 to 50% (w / w), preferably 5 to 20% (w / w).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said macropores are interconnected with micropores, wherein the diameter of said micropores is preferably less than 20 μm, preferably less than 10 μm.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tensile strength of said frame is preferably from 0.1 to 10 MPa, from 0.1 to 8 MPa, from 0.1 to 5 MPa, from 0.1 to 2 MPa, from 0.1 to 1 MPa, preferably from 0.1 to 0.8 MPa, more preferably from 0.2 to 0.7 MPa.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the Young's modulus of said framework is from 5 to 1 MPa, preferably from 5 to 800 kPa, from 5 to 700 kPa, from 5 to 600 kPa, from 5 to 500 kPa, from 5 to 400 kPa, from 5 to 300 kPa, from 5 to 200 kPa, preferably from 5 to 100 kPa, from 10 to 80 kPa, from 40 to 70 kPa, from 20 to 60 kPa, more preferably from 30 to 50 kPa.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said framework is obtained by a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said framework is an asymmetric framework containing macropores distributed uniformly but irregularly throughout the thickness of the framework, in particular comprising a first surface containing macropores open on the surface with a diameter of 100 to 280 μm, preferably 110 to 225 μm, with a pore area distribution on the surface of 40% to 95%, preferably 50% to 95%, 55% to 95%, 60% to 95%, 70% to 95%, more preferably 75% to 95% and a pore wall thickness of less than 70 μm, and a second opposite surface containing only nanopores with a diameter of less than 10 nm, preferably 5 nm.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said framework is a symmetrical framework containing macropores, having two surfaces containing macropores with a diameter of 100 to 280 μm, preferably 110 to 225 μm with a pore area distribution of 40% to 95%, preferably 50% to 95%, 60% to 95%, 70% to 95%, more preferably 75% to 95% and a pore wall thickness of less than 70 μm.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the bioactive molecule is grafted onto the surface of said framework.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said bioactive molecule is collagen, glucosides or molecules derived from glucosides such as glycosaminoglycan.

12. The tissue obtained in step a) of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, preferably comprising fibroblasts cultured on a macroporous scaffold as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The fabric according to claim 12, having at least two, preferably three, denaturation temperatures (Td) determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), preferably at least three Td.

14. The fabric according to any of paragraphs 12 or 13, the surface of which is isotropic.

15. The fabric according to any one of paragraphs. 12-14, in which the percentage content of the total mass of fatty acids, calculated on the total dry mass of the fabric, is less than 1% (w / w).

16. Tanned leather obtained by the method according to any of paragraphs. 1-11.

17. Tanned leather according to claim 16, having at least two, preferably three, denaturation temperatures (Td) determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

18. Tanned leather according to item 16 or 17, having a total porosity of 30% to 60%.

19. Use of a macroporous polymer scaffold for producing leather, preferably by tanning tissue obtained by culturing fibroblasts on said macroporous scaffold, wherein the surface of said scaffold contains macropores with a diameter of 100 to 280 μm, preferably 110 to 225 μm, with a pore area distribution on the surface of 40% to 95%, preferably 50% to 95%, 55% to 95%, 60% to 95%, 70% to 95%, more preferably 75% to 95%, and a pore wall thickness of less than 70 μm.