Geometric control of fibroblast growth on proton beam-micromachined scaffolds

Circular three-dimensional (3D) micropatterns with grooves and ridges of various sizes on the circumference of the structure were micromachined in polymethylmethacrylate, using proton beam micromachining. Fibroblasts were seeded in the center smooth nonpatterned surface of the circle. The circumference grooves could retard the outward spreading of cells after they became confluent in the central smooth surface. The fibroblasts eventually migrated across the grooves and ridges several days later. Wider and deeper grooves were more effective in retarding fibroblast spreading. Our results indicate that groove structures in cellular dimensions can effectively retard fibroblasts invasion. Proton beam micromachining, which has the unique advantage of being the only technique capable of manufacturing direct-write precise 3D microstructure at cellular dimensions, has great potential in generating 3D microscaffolds for studying cell behavior in a 3D microenvironment, which is important for tissue engineering.