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Highly Aligned Nanofibrous Scaffold Derived from Decellularized Human Fibroblasts
Qi Xing1, Caleb Vogt1, Kam W Leong2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931.
Advanced Functional Materials
|December 9, 2014
Summary
Researchers engineered a natural nanofibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold using human fibroblasts. This aligned scaffold effectively guides cell growth and reduces immune response, showing promise for tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Native tissues possess organized nanofibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) that dictates cell behavior.
- Developing biomimetic scaffolds is crucial for tissue engineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a natural, uniform, and highly aligned nanofibrous ECM scaffold.
- To evaluate its potential for tissue engineering applications.
Main Methods:
- Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on synthetic nanogratings for 8 weeks.
- Decellularization yielded an aligned nanofibrous ECM scaffold.
- Scaffold biocompatibility and immune response were assessed using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and macrophages.
Main Results:
- A uniform, 70 μm-thick cell sheet with aligned cells and ECM nanofibers was produced.
- The decellularized scaffold (78 ± 9 nm diameter fibers) maintained its elastic modulus and elastin content.
- The aligned scaffold successfully directed hMSC alignment and proliferation.
- Macrophages exhibited a significantly lower inflammatory response to the aligned scaffold compared to an unaligned one.
Conclusions:
- The aligned nanofibrous ECM scaffold mimics native tissue organization.
- It demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and reduced immunogenicity.
- This scaffold holds significant potential for engineering organized tissues.
