Pre-alignment of fibroblasts induced by micropatterning and cyclic stretching techniques accelerates wound healing

Wound healing proceeds through a complex collaborative process. It has been shown that during the intermediate phase of the wound healing process, fibroblasts migrate into wound area and contract to contribute to the closure of the wound area. Moreover, previous studies have shown that fibroblast alignment was observed on the mature stage of wound scar. These studies clearly indicate that fibroblasts play a critical role in wound healing process, however, the whole mechanism of wound healing remains still unclear.

Fibroblasts are pre-aligned to evaluate the effect of cell alignment on cell migration rate.

The cell alignment was accomplished by PDMS microstamping with fibronectin and application of cyclic stretching. Wound was created by physical scratching and then the wound closure rate was measured.

The pre-aligned cells perpendicular to the direction of scratched wound exhibited significantly higher migration rate, compared to non-aligned control cells. Moreover, pre-aligned cells with thick actin filaments by cyclic stretching migrated faster than those with less development of actin filament structures by microstamping.

The wound closure can be accelerated by the adequate alignment of fibroblasts as well as the development of actin filament structures.