Combined Nano‐ and Micro‐Scale Topographic Cues for Engineered Vascular Constructs by Electrospinning and Imprinted Micro‐Patterns

Abstract

The major cause of synthetic vessel failure is thrombus and neointima formation. To prevent these problems the creation of a continuous and elongated endothelium inside lumen vascular grafts might be a promising solution for tissue engineering. Different micro- and nano-surface topographic cues including grooved micro-patterns and electrospun fibers have been previously demonstrated to guide the uniform alignment of endothelial cells (ECs). Here, with a very simple and highly versatile approach we combined electrospinning with soft lithography to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds with oriented fibers modulated by different micro-grooved topographies. The effect of these scaffolds on the behavior of the ECs are analyzed, including their elongation, spreading, proliferation, and functioning using unpatterned random and aligned nanofibers (NFs) as controls. It is demonstrated that both aligned NFs and micro-patterns effectively influence the cellular response, and that a proper combination of topographic parameters, exploiting the synergistic effects of micro-scale and sub-micrometer features, can promote EC elongation, allowing the creation of a confluent ECs monolayer in analogy with the natural endothelium as assessed by the positive expression of vinculin. Combining different micro- and nano-topographic cues by complementary soft patterning and spinning technologies could open interesting perspectives for engineered vascular replacement constructions.

Multiscale engineered hierarchical structures with precisely controlled sizes for bio-inspired cell culture

“…While several factors such as biochemical and mechanical cues affect cells, topographical cues have been found to play a pivotal role in directing the function and behavior of cells. Cells are exposed to multiscale topographical environments of the ECM, for which the dimensions span micrometers to nanometers [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Therefore, a clinically reliable artificial ECM that can be used for tissue transplantation must possess multiscale structures that can provide cells with topographical cues similar to that of a natural ECM.…”

Self-Powered Pressure Sensor with fully encapsulated 3D printed wavy substrate and highly-aligned piezoelectric fibers array

“…The advancement of NGs provides us with an alternate energy paradigm shift and pushes forward the investigation on batteryless, wireless self-powered systems 32, 33 . On the other hand, previous reports on the combination of electrpspun nano- and imprinted micro-scale patterns can also offer as the topographic cues to the engineered vascular application 34 . While the additive manufacturing method of 3D printing can also be used as a promising tool for the production of electrospun scaffolds with tailored three-dimensional micro-patterns 35 .…”

Biological responses to nanomaterials: understanding nano-bio effects on cell behaviors

“…However, nanoleaf surface supported cell proliferation and promoted osteoblastic differentiation, with higher ALP activity and obvious bone nodules formation. Moffa et al (2014) performed a very precise study to exploit the synergistic effects of micro-scale and nano-scale features on modulating several fundamental behaviors of endothelial cells, via combining electrospinning and soft lithography techniques to realize electrospun scaffolds made of poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA)/gelatin (1:1 in weight) with random or aligned nanofibers of average diameter of 240 ± 40 nm with a highly uniform, smooth, and beadless surface, and with three different micro-patterns ($15 lm, 50 lm, and 100 lm in width). The elongation and the spreading of HUVECs were evaluated on the different substrates.…”