Random/aligned electrospun PCL fibrous matrices with modified surface textures: Characterization and interactions...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Biomaterial surface topography influences cellular activities essential for functional tissue development.
• Electrospun fibers offer a versatile platform for creating biomaterials with tunable properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of surface topography on polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibers.
• To evaluate cell-material interactions using human dermal fibroblasts (BJ cells) and human keratinocytes (HS2).

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of random and aligned PCL fibers using electrospinning.
• Modification of fiber surface topography via non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS).
• Culturing and evaluating BJ cells and HS2 cells on PCL fibers with varied morphologies (porous, wrinkled, grooved, crater-like).

Main Results:

• Fiber orientation and topography modulated cell-fiber and cell-cell interactions.
• Wrinkled PCL fiber topography demonstrated superior cell attachment and proliferation for both cell types.
• Human keratinocytes (HS2) exhibited more intensive proliferation than human dermal fibroblasts (BJ cells) across all tested surfaces.

Conclusions:

• Surface topography is a critical factor in designing biomaterials for tissue engineering.
• Wrinkled electrospun PCL fibers show promise as scaffolds for skin tissue engineering.
• Cellular responses vary based on cell type and biomaterial surface morphology.