Rapid-prototyped and salt-leached PLGA scaffolds condition cell morpho-functional behavior

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Developing optimal microstructural architectures for tissue engineering scaffolds is crucial for successful cell integration and tissue regeneration.
• Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a widely used biomaterial, but its processing methods significantly influence scaffold properties and cellular response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the biocompatibility and cellular response of microfabricated scaffolds with controlled geometry (Pressure-Assisted Microsyringe - PAM) versus those with random porosity (salt-leached membranes).
• To identify an optimal microstructural architecture for tissue engineering applications using different cell types.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PLGA scaffolds using Pressure-Assisted Microsyringe (PAM) technique for controlled geometry and salt leaching for porous membranes.
• Characterization of scaffold porosity and stiffness.
• Culturing and analysis of three cell types: MG63 (osteoblast-like), human endothelial cells, and NCTC2544 (keratinocytes).
• Evaluation of cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and actin labeling.

Main Results:

• PAM scaffolds, featuring a regular and repeatable microstructure, demonstrated higher biocompatibility compared to salt-leached membranes with random pore structures.
• Scaffold surface morphology and substrate stiffness were found to significantly modulate cell behavior, including morphology and cytoskeletal organization.
• Differences in cellular response were observed across the three tested cell types (mesenchymal and epithelial models).

Conclusions:

• Pressure-assisted microsyringe (PAM) fabrication offers a superior method for creating tissue engineering scaffolds with enhanced biocompatibility due to its controlled and regular microstructure.
• Scaffold design parameters, including surface morphology and stiffness, are critical factors influencing cell-material interactions and should be optimized for specific tissue engineering applications.
• The choice of scaffold architecture significantly impacts cellular behavior, highlighting the need for tailored scaffold design based on the target tissue and cell type.