Architecture-Dependent Transition from Quasi-2D to 3D Cell-Scaffold Interactions in Ultrafine Electroprinted Cellulose Scaffolds
Precise control over scaffold microarchitecture is critical for engineering cell-instructive biomaterials and for understanding how structural cues regulate cell-material interactions. In this study, ultrafine cellulose-based scaffolds fabricated by near-collector electroprinting (NCE) were used as a model platform to investigate how scaffold architecture influences the transition between…
Engineering bio-compatible materials that guide cells' behavior is essential for developing effective biomaterials. To explore the role of scaffold microarchitecture, researchers fabricated ultrafine cellulose-based scaffolds using a near-collector electroprinting technique. The scaffolds had micrometer-scale fibers with adjustable spacing and multilayer geometries.
By examining human mesenchymal stem cell behavior on these scaffolds, the study aimed to understand how scaffold dimensionality and pore architecture influence the transition from quasi-2D to 3D cell-scaffold interactions. Low-layer scaffolds acted primarily as topographical patterns, where cells tended to adhere to the substrate and align along the fibers based on the spacing.
As the scaffold height increased, a 3D microenvironment emerged, promoting direct cell-scaffold interaction and fiber bridging. By analyzing nuclear orientation and actin organization, the study found that scaffold dimensionality and fiber spacing jointly determined the transition between topographical guidance and bridging-mediated cellular organization.
To showcase the versatility of this material, lignosulfonate was incorporated into the printing ink, resulting in composite scaffolds that maintained print fidelity and cytocompatibility. The findings highlight the ability to manipulate scaffold architecture to govern cell-material interactions across different dimensional regimes.
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