Tissue scaffold surface patterning for clinical applications

Abstract

Patterned scaffold surfaces provide a platform for highly defined cellular interactions, and have recently taken precedence in tissue engineering. Despite advances in patterning techniques and improved tissue growth, no clinical studies have been conducted for implantation of patterned biomaterials. Four major clinical application fields where patterned materials hold great promise are antimicrobial surfaces, cardiac constructs, neurite outgrowth, and stem cell differentiation. Specific examples include applications of patterned materials to (i) counter infection by antibiotic resistant bacteria, (ii) establish proper alignment and contractile force of regrown cardiac cells for repairing tissue damaged by cardiac infarction, (iii) increase neurite outgrowth for central nervous system wound repair, and (iv) host differentiated stem cells while preventing reversion to a pluripotent state. Moreover, patterned materials offer unique advantages for artificial implants which other constructs cannot. For example, by inducing selective cell adhesion using topographical cues, patterned surfaces present cellular orientation signals that lead to functional tissue architectures. Mechanical stimuli such as modulus, tension, and material roughness are known to influence tissue growth, as are chemical stimuli for cell adhesion. Scaffold surface patterns allow for control of these mechanical and chemical factors. This review identifies research advances in scaffold surface patterning, in light of pressing clinical needs requiring organization of cellular interactions.

Cellular Behavior of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Wettable Gradient Polyethylene Surfaces

“…The goal of tissue engineering is to repair damaged tissues and replace injured body parts [1–3]. Scaffolding plays the most central role in these treatments because most of the transplanted cells are anchor dependent and most biological reactions take place on surfaces [4–9].…”

Fabrication of multi‐well chips for spheroid cultures and implantable constructs through rapid prototyping techniques

“…Another key element for developing innovative 3D models is the possibility of generating scaffolds with a controlled micro‐ and/or macro‐scale architecture, directing cell distribution and/or cell orientation by topographical cues [Bae et al, ; Gerberich and Bhatia, ]. Implantable multi‐well scaffolds have recently been proposed for the in vivo evaluation of the influence of different extracellular matrix components on the differentiation of cells seeded within the wells [Higuera et al, ], demonstrating the great potentiality of this approach.…”

Modulation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cell and human gingival fibroblast behavior by micropatterned silica coating surfaces for zirconia dental implant applications

“…Surface patterning can be helpful in tissue engineering approaches defining an oriented cell growth which is important in nerve and tendon repair and regeneration [3], cardiac constructs [5] and new bone formation. The right surface pattern allows cell orientation leading to functional tissue architectures [5].…”