Abstract
The design of biomimetic biomaterials for cell culture has become a great tool to study and understand cell behavior, tissue degradation, and lesion. Topographical and morphological features play an important role in modulating cell behavior. In this study, a dual methodology was evaluated to generate novel gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)-based scaffolds with nano and micro topographical and morphological features. First, electrospinning parameters and crosslinking processes were optimized to obtain electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds. GelMA mats were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, contact angle, and water uptake. Various nanofibrous GelMA mats with defect-free fibers and stability in aqueous media were obtained. Then, micropatterned molds produced by photolithography were used as collectors in the electrospinning process. Thus, biocompatible GelMA nanofibrous scaffolds with micro-patterns that mimic extracellular matrix were obtained successfully by combining two micro/nanofabrication techniques, electrospinning, and micromolding. Taking into account the cell viability results, the methodology used in this study could be considered a valuable tool to develop patterned GelMA based nanofibrous scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering.
Highlights
The design of biomimetic biomaterials as scaffolds for cell culture is a powerful tool for studying and understanding fundamental cell behavior, specific tissue environment, degradation, and reasons for tissue damage [1]
gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) was synthesized according to previously reported methods, in which methacrylate functional groups were grafted onto the gelatin backbone through reactions between methacrylic anhydride and lysine residues [21]
The use of gelatin as a biopolymer scaffolding material for tissue engineering applications is directly related to its high biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and bioactivity associated with specific peptide sequences
Summary
The design of biomimetic biomaterials as scaffolds for cell culture is a powerful tool for studying and understanding fundamental cell behavior, specific tissue environment, degradation, and reasons for tissue damage [1]. Scaffolding structures should mimic biological properties of extracellular matrix (ECM), and morphological and topographical features [2,3,4]. Aligned and randomly oriented electrospun mats have been developed to study how morphology affects cell behavior. Gao et al studied the influence of aligned and randomly oriented fibrous gelatin/PLLA scaffolds to guide the growth of corneal stroma cells [9]. Similar results were observed by Shalumon et al, who prepared aligned and randomly PLLA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds [10]. In these structures, an increase in viability and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was observed
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