title: Modulation of gene expression using electrospun scaffolds with templated architecture.
abstract: The fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds is a critical component to fulfill the promise of functional tissue-engineered materials. We describe herein a simple technique, based on printed circuit board manufacturing, to produce novel templates for electrospinning scaffolds for tissue-engineering applications. This technique facilitates fabrication of electrospun scaffolds with templated architecture, which we defined as a scaffold's bulk mechanical properties being driven by its fiber architecture. Electrospun scaffolds with templated architectures were characterized with regard to fiber alignment and mechanical properties. Fast Fourier transform analysis revealed a high degree of fiber alignment along the conducting traces of the templates. Mechanical testing showed that scaffolds demonstrated tunable mechanical properties as a function of templated architecture. Fibroblast-seeded scaffolds were subjected to a peak strain of 3 or 10% at 0.5 Hz for 1 h. Exposing seeded scaffolds to the low strain magnitude (3%) significantly increased collagen I gene expression compared to the high strain magnitude (10%) in a scaffold architecture-dependent manner. These experiments indicate that scaffolds with templated architectures can be produced, and modulation of gene expression is possible with templated architectures. This technology holds promise for the long-term goal of creating tissue-engineered replacements with the biomechanical and biochemical make-up of native tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. akarchin@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karchin
authors.forename: Y-N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I