Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ligand modification polymers [116, 117], natural ECM components [118, 119],
and collagen foams [120], which have been shown to enhance hepatocyte
adhesion.
As scaffold materials, polymers enable the fabrication of regular patterns or
topographical features and microfabrication techniques had led to produce highly
organized networks of microenvironments for mimicking 3D tissue constructs
for multiple cell types [121-123]. Microfabrication technology has been
successfully applied to biodegradable polymers, such as polyglycolic acid (PGA)
[124], polyglycerol sebacate (PGS) [125], poly(lactic co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)
[126], and hydrogel [127]. Also, scaffolds containing microvascular networks
have been produced in biocompatible non-degradable polymers [122] and
biodegradable polymers [126]. Compartments containing hepatocytes have been
constructed in a biodegradable elastomer [125]. In the case of stepwise use of
photolithography and microsyringe deposition, it has been used to produce
scaffolds in PLGA [128] and polyurethane (PU). Also, a microfluidic network of
vascular channels has been produced in 3D by bonding together 5 to 35 layers of
degradable or non-degradable polymer films containing networks of trenches
[125, 126]. For better mimicking tissue architecture, it can be possible to
combine photolithography and soft lithography to generate high-aspect ratio
structures for the embedded 3D cell culture.
4. Conclusions and Perspective
In the past decade, advances in microfabrication techniques have shown much
potential in generating patterned biomaterials interface for cell and tissue
engineering. These capabilities enable in-depth investigation of cell responses in
controlled microenvironment, which will expand our knowledge in cell-cell and
cell-material interactions. A next step is to explore the use of microfabrication
techniques to create biomimetic materials for clinical applications such as tissue
regeneration. Future developments with nanoscale control of patterned polymers
would allow more biomimetic control of cell-material interactions, arising from a
rapid accumulation of evidence on the importance of controlling cellular
processes on multiple length scales.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by grants (R21-EB008562) from National Institute of
Health.
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