Effect of Fiber Orientation on Cell Outgrowth Pattern in Collagen Electrospun Scaffolds

The key point in the success of a tissue engineering technique is to mimic the structural and functional properties of a native tissue. While it is accepted that matrix surface chemistry tends toexert stronger influences on biological responses and rates,such as cell differentiation and division. ECM physical cues (e.g. topographic features etc.) have been shown to have a far greater influence on cell orientation, locomotion and direction of the cell-extracellular matrix. In fibrous scaffolds, fiber orientation is an intrinsic, critical element of matrix 3D micro-architecture that not only directlydetermines its mechanical properties, but also provides a dynamic topographic cue to resident cells. Electrospinning is defined as a technique during whichultrafine fibers are attained from a polymer solution or molten medium. Regarding the enhanced biological interactions andboosted tissue regeneration reported for collagen and considering the fact that collagen is the main structural component of native ECM, it has been widely utilized inscaffold fabrication. In this study we made an attempt first to synthesize an aligned nanofibrous scaffold and then to investigate and compare theeffect of this fibrous organization on cells shape and the aspect ratio parameter of the cells.