Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10.1 Introduction
Topographical cues generated by the ECM have significant effects
upon cellular behaviors, including adhesion, proliferation, align-
ment, migration, and differentiation. Studies have shown that sub-
stratum topography has direct effects on the ability of cells to ori-
ent, migrate, and produce an organized cytoskeletal arrangement.
1
The topography of a native tissue matrix is a complex struc-
ture, comprising pores, fibers, ridges, and other nano-scaled fea-
tures. A fundamental understanding of cell-substrate interactions
is important for tissue engineering applications and the develop-
ment of medical implant devices. Electrospinning technology has
been widely employed to fabricate tissue-engineered scaffolds that
mimicnativeECMarchitecture.Thus,anunderstandingoftheinter-
actions between electrospun fibrous scaffolds and mammalian cells
is crucial to the successful production of target tissues and organs.
Although many factors contribute to the successful generation of
functional tissues, which include biomaterial selection and compo-
sition, this chapter will focus on the structural and morphological
effects ofelectrospun nanofiberson cells.
Electrospinningtechniquespermitfabricationoffiberdiameters
in the range of several micrometers to tens of nanometers. This
technology offers many advantages, which include the production
of nano-scaled fibers with specific spatial orientations, high aspect
ratios, high surface areas, and controlled pore geometries. Some
of these parameters can be optimized to enhance cellular growth
and function
in vitro
and
in vivo
, leading to improved cell adhe-
sion, cellular protein expression, and improved diffusion of oxygen
andnutrients.
2
Electrospunscaffoldsfabricatedwithcollagenmimic
natural ECM, consisting of randomly oriented collagen fibers with
nano-scale architecture. This architecture is desirable as it facili-
tates cell adhesion and proliferation upon cell seeding. In addition,
electrospinning offers the ability to control scaffold composi-
tion, structure, and mechanical properties.
3
-
5
In this chapter
we present evidence that electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds can
guide cell adhesion, alignment, infiltration, and differentiation
and that this can be controlled by applying various fabrication
parameters.
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