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Engineered nanotopography on electrospun PLLA microfibers modifies RAW 264.7 cell response
Nicholas J Schaub1, Tara Britton, Rupak Rajachar
1Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York 12180-3590, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 26, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed a novel electrospinning method to control fiber nanotopography by adding nonsolvents. This technique precisely alters surface structures, influencing cell behavior and offering versatile control over material properties.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling the surface structure of electrospun fibers is crucial for tailoring material properties.
- Existing methods offer limited control over fiber nanotopography.
- Fiber surface morphology can significantly impact cellular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new electrospinning method for controlling individual fiber nanotopography.
- To investigate the effect of nonsolvent addition on fiber surface structure.
- To assess the impact of fiber nanotopography on macrophage behavior.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) in chloroform with varying nonsolvent (water, ethanol, DMSO) concentrations.
- Characterization of fiber nanotopography using microscopy.
- Assessment of scaffold hydrophobicity and degradation.
- Culturing RAW 264.7 macrophages on fibers with different nanotopographies.
Main Results:
- Nonsolvent addition (water, ethanol, DMSO) generated unique nanoscale depressions on PLLA fiber surfaces.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentration nonlinearly influenced the number and size of surface features.
- Fiber nanotopography did not affect scaffold hydrophobicity or short-term degradation.
- Macrophages exhibited reduced spreading on fibers with nanoscale depressions compared to smooth fibers.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a versatile method for controlling electrospun fiber nanotopography via nonsolvent-induced phase separation.
- Fiber nanotopography significantly influences macrophage cell spreading, highlighting the importance of surface structure in cell-material interactions.
- This controlled nanotopography offers potential for advanced biomaterial design and applications.
