Electrospun Scaffold Fiber Orientation Regulates Endothelial Cell and Platelet Properties Associated with Angiogenesis and Hemocompatibility

Abstract

Artificial scaffolds fabricated for tissue engineering and/or regenerative medicine applications typically aim to resemble specific properties of the innate extracellular matrix of a particular tissue. While there have been successes with this approach, it has become apparent that there are certain scaffold properties that are essential for tissue formation. Other, non-essential, properties, however, can aid in tissue formation but are not required for cell growth, maintenance and the formation of viable tissue engineered scaffolds. We aimed to investigate the role of electrospun scaffold topography on endothelial cell and platelet functions related to vascular growth throughout engineered scaffolds. We hypothesized that the growth and compatibility of cells throughout scaffolds would be enhanced as the scaffold topographical organization increased. To test this we made use of a customized rotational electrospinning apparatus, which can increase the topographical organization of formed scaffolds. Scaffolds fabricated from cellulose acetate, chitosan and/or poly-caprolactone were tested. Our data illustrates that endothelial cells prefer to be cultured on scaffolds with increasing order and larger fiber diameters. Similarly, platelets remain in a more quiescent state on scaffolds that are more organized. These results indicate that engineered scaffold properties should be fine-tuned for particular applications and overall, scaffolds may not need to resemble the extracellular matrix in all physical, mechanical and topographical properties to be successful in tissue engineering applications.