Quantitative analysis of cell adhesion on aligned micro‐ and nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the affinity of cell adhesion to aligned nanofibers composed of composites of poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and collagen. Electrospun composite fibers were fabricated at various PGA/collagen weight mixing ratio (7, 18, 40, 67, and 86%) to generate fibers that ranged in diameter from 10 mum to 500 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed that the PGA/collagen fibers were long and uniformly aligned, irrespective of the PGA/collagen weight mixing ratio. In addition, it was observed that a significantly higher number of NIH3T3 fibroblasts adhered to nanofibers with smaller diameters in comparison to fibers with larger diameters. The highest affinity of cell adhesion was observed in the PGA/collagen fibers with diameter of 500 nm and PGA/collagen weight mixing ratio of 40%. Furthermore, the adherent cells were more elongated on fibers with smaller diameters. Thus, based on the results here, PGA/collagen composite fibers are suitable for tissue culture studies and provide an attractive material for tissue engineering applications.

Improved visualisation of internalised carbon nanotubes by maximising cell spreading on nanostructured substrates

“…The method here presented can create a precise nanopattern of gold dots; however, other nanostructured substrates are available in the literature [6,7]. The polymer we employ can control, at regularly-space intervals, the deposition of gold nanoparticles on glass substrates.…”

“…Other substrate preparations do exist, eg. [6,7], but a threshold mechanism in cell adhesion is universal. Here, fibroblast show a threshold in cell adhesion when nanodots are spaced in the range 60-70 nm.…”

“…The responses of cells to diverse topographical features, eg. nanopillars and nanogrooves, have been known for decades [5][6][7]. A recent theme in nanostructured substrates has been focused on methods that can control the positions of ligands.…”

Pilot study of gingival connective tissue responses to 3-dimensional collagen nanofiber-coated dental implants

“…1. Cell growth, the penetration of cells into the fiber matrix, and the enhancement of cell attachment and proliferation has been reported in electrospun collagen nanofibrous scaffolds 22) . Electrospun scaffolds consisting of polycaprolactone, collagen, and nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite were reported to support the adhesion, integrin-related signaling, and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells, while the pore size of electrospun scaffolds influenced cell infiltration 23) .…”

“…It is also expected that formation of 3-dimensional mesh-like structure of collagen fibers onto titanium might allow gingival collagen fiber penetrate into fiber structure and provide tight attachment of gingival connective tissue to titanium implant. Electrospray deposition (ESD) method can produce collagen and/or collagen/apatite and collagen/ poly(glycolic acid) nanofibrous scaffolds as a biomimetic 3-dimensional nanofibrous extracellular matrix for tissue engineering [20][21][22] . ESD is a process through which a liquid is transformed into a fine mist by the application of a high-voltage electric field to the capillary or syringe.…”