Enhanced cell colonization of collagen scaffold by ultraviolet/ozone surface processing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Surface Science

Background:

• Physical and chemical crosslinking improve collagen scaffold stability but reduce medium diffusion.
• Porous collagen scaffolds often exhibit poor surface wettability, hindering cell infiltration.
• Effective cell colonization and deep migration are crucial for scaffold efficacy in tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an ultraviolet/ozone (UVO) perfuse processing technique for surface modification of crosslinked collagen scaffolds.
• To assess the impact of UVO processing on scaffold wettability, water uptake, and bulk properties.
• To investigate the effect of surface-modified scaffolds on mesenchymal stem cell behavior, including colonization, migration, and proliferation.

Main Methods:

• Crosslinked collagen scaffolds underwent integrated ultraviolet/ozone (UVO) perfuse processing.
• Surface wettability and water uptake were measured before and after UVO treatment.
• Bulk biological stability and mechanical properties were assessed post-processing.
• In vitro studies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) evaluated cell colonization, migration into the scaffold depth, and proliferation.

Main Results:

• UVO processing significantly improved the surface wettability of both exterior and interior scaffold surfaces.
• Enhanced wettability led to increased water uptake without compromising bulk mechanical or biological stability.
• MSCs seeded on UVO-processed scaffolds demonstrated improved colonization and deeper migration throughout the 3D structure.
• Significantly higher levels of MSC proliferation were observed in the surface-processed scaffolds compared to unprocessed controls.

Conclusions:

• Integrated UVO perfuse processing is an effective strategy for enhancing the surface properties of crosslinked collagen scaffolds.
• Surface modification via UVO processing improves scaffold hydration and facilitates deeper cell infiltration and proliferation.
• This technique holds promise for advancing the development of functional collagen-based tissue engineering scaffolds.