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Auxiliary Electrode Tunes Wet-Electrospun Bundle Stiffness to Modulate Cell Phenotype.
Haoyu Wang1, Chelsea Violita Stanley2, Xiangshen Gao3
1UCL, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK, London, Choose County, HA7 4LP, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
This study introduces a new electrospinning method to create tissue scaffolds with tunable stiffness. The technique enhances mechanical properties without altering topography, influencing cell behavior for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Scaffold stiffness is critical for cell behavior in tissue engineering.
- Existing methods for tuning stiffness often compromise topographical consistency.
- Developing scaffolds with controlled mechanical properties is essential for regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an innovative wet-electrospinning setup for fabricating tissue-engineered scaffolds with adjustable stiffness.
- To investigate the effect of an auxiliary electrode on scaffold properties during fabrication.
- To explore the influence of scaffold stiffness on cell morphology and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polycaprolactone (PCL) bundles using a novel wet-electrospinning setup with an auxiliary electrode.
- COMSOL-based electromechanical computing to analyze electrostatic forces.
- Tensile testing to measure scaffold stiffness (Young's modulus).
- X-ray diffraction analysis to assess structural changes within PCL fibers.
Main Results:
- The auxiliary electrode reduced stress concentration, enabling higher collection speeds (up to 120 m/min).
- Increased collection speed significantly enhanced bundle stiffness, with Young's modulus increasing from 40 to 107 MPa.
- Structural analysis revealed crystal disintegration and grain refinement in PCL fibers correlated with increased stiffness.
- Higher scaffold stiffness promoted a transition in cell morphology from non-polarized to spindle-like.
Conclusions:
- The electrostatic-assisted collection wet-electrospinning setup allows for tunable scaffold stiffness while maintaining topographical consistency.
- This method offers a robust strategy for mechanobiology research and the development of advanced tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Controlled mechanical properties of scaffolds can effectively guide cell behavior and differentiation.
