Electrospun Fiber Alignment Guides Osteogenesis and Matrix Organization Differentially in Two Different Osteogenic...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Biomimetic replication of musculoskeletal tissue anisotropy is crucial for restoring mechanical function.
• Micro-environmental physical cues, like matrix fiber orientation, impact osteogenic progenitor cell differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate scaffold fiber orientation's effect on mature and progenitor osteogenic cell behavior.
• Analyze the influence on secreted mineralized-collagenous matrix organization.
• Determine the resulting construct mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

• Fabricated gelatin-coated electrospun poly(caprolactone) fibrous scaffolds with low or high anisotropy.
• Cultured scaffolds with mature osteoblasts (MLO-A5s) and osteogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells (hES-MPs).
• Assessed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen and calcium deposition, matrix organization (SHG, SEM), and mechanical properties.

Main Results:

• MLO-A5 cells showed highest ALP activity and calcium deposition on aligned scaffolds.
• hES-MPs exhibited higher ALP activity, collagen, and calcium deposition on random scaffolds.
• Aligned constructs displayed anisotropic mechanical properties, while random scaffolds yielded isotropic matrix deposition.

Conclusions:

• Scaffold alignment can control mineralized-matrix deposition by osteoblasts.
• Early-stage osteogenesis by progenitor cells may not benefit from aligned scaffolds.
• Fiber orientation is a critical factor in designing scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.