Upregulation of matrix and adhesion molecules induced by controlled topography

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 1601 - 1608
• Main Authors: Andrews, K. D., Hunt, J. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.04.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical materials; Cell Adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured - cytology; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Equipment Design; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Glass; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Materials Science; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Natural Materials; Polymer Sciences; Polyurethanes - chemistry; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Static Electricity; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Up-Regulation; Void Fraction; Methylene Blue; Adhesion Mechanism; Fibre Orientation; Cell Coverage
• ISSN: 0957-4530; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-008-3377-6

Electrostatic spinning is receiving increasing attention in the field of tissue engineering, due to its ability to produce 3-dimensional, multidirectional, microfibrous scaffolds. These structures are capable of supporting a wide range of cell growth; however, there is little knowledge relating material substrates with specific cellular interactions and responses. The aim of this research was to investigate if electrostatically spun scaffolds, with controlled topographical features, would affect the adhesion mechanisms of contacting cells. A range of electrostatically spun Tecoflex ® SG-80A polyurethane scaffolds was characterized in terms of inter-fibre separation, fibre diameter, surface roughness, void fraction and fibre orientation. Human embryonic lung fibroblasts and human vein endothelial cells were cultured on these scaffolds for 7, 14, 28 days, and analysed for their expression of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules using image analysis and laser scanning confocal microscopy. There were significant differences in adhesion mechanisms between scaffolds, cell types and culture periods. Fibroblast-scaffolds were stimulated and oriented to a greater degree, and at earlier cultures, by the controlled topographical features than the endothelial cells. These conclusions confirm that cellular behaviour can be influenced by the induced scaffold topography at both molecular and cellular levels, with implications for optimum application specific tissue engineering constructs.