Stem cell behaviors on periodic arrays of nanopillars analyzed by high-resolution scanning electron microscope images

Abstract

The biocompatible polyurethane acrylate (PUA) nanopillars were fabricated by soft lithography using three different sizes of nanobeads (350, 500, and 1000 nm), and the human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were cultured on the nanopillars. The hASCs and their various behaviors, such as cytoplasmic projections, migration, and morphology, were observed by high resolution images using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). With the accurate analysis by SEM for the controlled sizes of nanopillars, the deflections are observed at pillars fabricated with 350- and 500-nm nanobeads. These high-resolution images could offer crucial information to elucidate the complicated correlations between nanopillars and the cells, such as morphology and cytoplasmic projections.

Tuning foreign body response with tailor-engineered nanoscale surface modifications: fundamentals to clinical applications

“…For example, using soft lithography to create biocompatible polyurethane acrylate (PUA) nanopillars and their development with human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) has revealed insights into cell–nanopillar interactions such as shape alterations and cytoplasmic projections. 149 Another method, which uses ultraviolet-assisted capillary force lithography (UV-CFL), has enabled the synthesis of nanopillar pattern arrays with varying densities, demonstrating that optimal nanotopographical density conditions promote bone mineralization, cell adhesion, and proliferation, potentially offering applications in bone tissue engineering. 150 Furthermore, nanoengineered silk-based nanopillar arrays have been developed to regulate stem cell morphology, transforming them into ellipsoidal forms resembling chondrocytes found in natural cartilage's superficial zone.…”