Fabrication of spiderweb-mimetic fibrous scaffold with controlled topography and mechanical properties for tissue regeneration

Abstract

The ability to fabricate the fibrous scaffold with a biomimetic structure for enhancing functional and mechanical effects is one of the most important and advanced in tissue engineering. In nature, spiderweb structure has several designs and features in mechanical which could support movements and capture prey. We modified the electrospinning setup and successfully fabricated the spiderweb-mimetic fibrous scaffolds (SFS). SFS consists of nano-to-microscale fibers with topographical features. The results of mechanical properties and cell behaviors on the fibrous membrane with topographical features were examined according to the different spiderweb structures. In this study, SFS attempt to mimic spider-web and suggest the potential of biomedical application for tissue regeneration according to the structure with the appropriate mechanical properties.