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Quantifying species and age-dependent fibroblast morphologies on biomaterial surfaces via optical diffraction
Francesco Formaggio1, Pooja Anantha2, Federica Trebbi3
1Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via S. Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
Biomaterials Advances
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Biomaterial surfaces influence fibroblast differentiation and neuron-like shape. This study compares rodent and human fibroblasts on silk fibroin and hydrotalcite, revealing how substrate mechanics guide cell morphology for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Fibroblasts are crucial for tissue structure and have potential in regenerative medicine, particularly for reprogramming into neuronal cells.
- Donor-specific factors like species and age cause variability in fibroblast responses, hindering their therapeutic applications.
- Understanding how biomaterial surfaces influence fibroblast behavior is key to overcoming these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how biomaterial surfaces, through mechanical cues, guide fibroblast differentiation in vitro.
- To compare the responses of fibroblasts from different species (rodent, human) and age groups to biomaterial substrates.
- To identify substrates that promote neuron-like morphology in fibroblasts for enhanced neuronal reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Cultured rodent and human fibroblasts (from different age groups) on silk fibroin (SF) and Zinc-Aluminum hydrotalcite (HTlc) biomaterial surfaces.
- Utilized conventional morphological and cytoskeletal analyses.
- Employed advanced 3D label-free imaging techniques, including optical diffraction tomography (ODT), to measure cell dry mass and projected area.
Main Results:
- Biomaterial surface characteristics significantly influenced fibroblast growth, proliferation, and morphology.
- Distinct differences in morphological transformations were observed between rodent and human fibroblasts, and across different human age groups.
- Optical diffraction tomography provided quantitative insights into substrate-driven changes in cell dry mass and projected area.
Conclusions:
- Substrate characteristics play a critical role in shaping fibroblast morphology.
- This study introduces an effective strategy for identifying biomaterials that promote neuron-like cell shapes, essential for advancing fibroblast reprogramming in regenerative medicine.
