Multiscale Topological Guidance for Cell Alignment via Direct Laser Writing on Biodegradable Polymer

Abstract

Direct laser writing on biodegradable polymer to create microchannels for aligning cells is presented here. This technique offers the advantages of ease-of-manufacturing, ease-of-design, high-speed single-step fabrication, and noncontacting to the material. In this work, microchannels of 100 microm width, 100 microm depth, and 50 microm intervals were created on a biodegradable polymer film directly using a Ti-sapphire femtosecond pulsed laser. Multiscale topological features were achieved as a result of the laser beam-material interaction. These topological features were used to guide cell alignment in the microchannels. We present results on the morphology of poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer micromachined by femtosecond laser and demonstrate the attachment and alignment of C2C12 myoblast cells in the microchannels. C2C12 cells exhibited favorable attachment in the channels after 1 day of seeding. High degree of alignment was observed after 4 days as cells proliferated into a confluent patch inside the channels. This work demonstrated the potential of wavy surface features combined with appropriate channel size for high-density cell alignment using direct laser writing. This method also offers the opportunity to incorporate multiscale topological guidance on other biodegradable polymer implants, such as vascular scaffolds and stents, which require directed cell organization.

Insights into the Role of Focal Adhesion Modulation in Myogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Over the years, there are growing lines of evidence that insoluble cues or mechanical signals exert a significant influence in regulating stem cell differentiation. In line with this, several factors such as substrate stiffness, surface chemistry, and topography have been extensively studied to understand and predictably control stem cell differentiation, together with the concept of the stem cell niche [4][5][6]. Among these factors, the effects of matrix stiffness in directing a cell lineage have been extensively reported.…”

Multiscale Biomimetic Topography for the Alignment of Neonatal and Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Heart Cells

“…[21][22][23][24] The alignment of CM has been studied for the last decade using different microfabrication (e.g., microcontact printing, abrasion, photolithography, hot embossing, electrospinning, and laser ablation) approaches. [25][26][27][28][29][30] Studies have also shown that these microtopographic cues have a greater effect on cell alignment than electrical cues. 25 However, while most previous studies examined the effects of mechanical cues at the 10s to 100s of microns, recent studies indicate that structure and function at the heart tissue level is exquisitely sensitive to mechanical cues at the nano-scale level as well.…”

Electrospun 3D multi-scale fibrous scaffold for enhanced human dermal fibroblasts infiltration

“…The fiber diameter of such 3D scaffold was measured to be a mixture of micro-(3.3 ± 0.6 µm) and nano-(240 ± 50 nm) fibers. The collected scaffold also replicates the inherent micro-nanoscale features in ECM that is essential in triggering series of cell activities [31][32][33][34][35][36] . The scaffold is therefore termed 3D multi-scale scaffold herein.…”