Biodegradable Photo‐Crosslinked Polymer Substrates with Concentric Microgrooves for Regulating MC3T3‐E1 Cell Behavior

Abstract

Both intrinsic material properties and topographical features are critical in influencing cell-biomaterial interactions. We present a systematic investigation of regulating mouse pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell behavior on biodegradable polymer substrates with distinct mechanical properties and concentric microgrooves. The precursors for fabricating substrates used here were two poly(ϵ-caprolactone) triacrylates (PCLTAs) synthesized from poly(ϵ-caprolactone) triols with molecular weights of ∼7000 and ∼10000 g mol(-1) . These two PCLTAs were photo-crosslinked into PCL networks with distinct thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties at physiological temperature because of their different crystallinities and melting temperatures. Microgrooved substrates with four groove widths of 7.5, 16.1, 44.2, and 91.2 μm and three groove depths of 0.2, 1, and 10 μm were prepared through replica molding, i.e., photo-crosslinking PCLTA on micro-fabricated silicon wafers with pre-designed concentric groove patterns. MC3T3-E1 cell attachment and proliferation could be better supported by the stiffer substrates while not significantly influenced by the microgrooves. Microgroove dimensions could regulate MC3T3-E1 cell alignment, nuclear shape and distribution, mineralization, and gene expression. Among the microgrooves with a fixed depth of 10 μm, the smallest width of 7.5 μm could align and elongate the cytoskeleton and nuclei most efficiently. Strikingly, higher mineral deposition and upregulation of osteocalcin gene expression were found in the narrower microgrooves when the groove depth was 10 μm.

Multilayered pore‐closedPLGAmicrosphere deliveringOGPandBMP‐2 in sequential release patterns for the facilitation ofBMSCs osteogenic differentiation

“…BMP‐2 is well known as a strong inducer of bone formation, which has been demonstrated to potently induce the differentiation of a variety of cell types into osteoblast precursors . Interestingly, it was observed that the proliferative roles of proliferative agents (FGF‐2) were interfered by BMP‐2 when they existed together in cell culture.…”

Electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanofiber shish kebabs mimic mineralized bony surface features

“…The MC3T3 E1 cell line has been used extensively to evaluate bone templates including HAP nanocomposites and electrospun fibers . As confirmed by Wutticharoenmongkol et al, PCL nanofibers alone does not provide a sufficient microenvironment for MC3T3 E1 cells to secrete bone matrix or promote mineralization.…”

Hierarchically ordered polymer nanofiber shish kebabs as a bone scaffold material

“…Earlier studies have found that fiber diameter and fiber surface structure can influence cell behavior . PCL substrates with concentric microgrooves have shown the ability to regulate MC3T3‐E1 cell behavior . After introducing kebabs on the PCL nanofiber surface, the fiber diameter and surface structure—both chemical and morphological—have changed.…”

“…48 PCL substrates with concentric microgrooves have shown the ability to regulate MC3T3-E1 cell behavior. 49 After introducing kebabs on the PCL nanofiber surface, the fiber diameter and surface structure-both chemical and morphological-have changed. Therefore, it is of interest to study the influence of this surface modification on cell growth and attachment to the NFSK surface.…”