title: Spatial and temporal evaluation of cell attachment to printed polycaprolactone microfibres.
abstract: Surface topography plays a crucial role in influencing cellular responses and has therefore been utilized in the development of numerous implantable devices. Whilst numerous studies have either investigated cell attachment or migration post-attachment, few have looked at the early-stages of this process temporally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of time-lapse microscopy to study the behaviour of fibroblasts cultured with polycaprolactone microfibres and to assess spatially and temporally the cell-structure interaction over a 24h period. Ordered polymeric structures were printed (predetermined) onto glass substrates using an electrohydrodynamic direct write process to produce fine (3-5 μm wide) structures. Fibroblast attachment and migration were characterized as a function of distance perpendicular from structures (∼17.3, 34.6 and 51.9 μm). The use of time-lapse microscopy revealed a gradual decrease in cell attachment as the distance from the microfibres was increased. The technique also revealed that some cells were attaching and detaching from the microfibre multiple times. Our findings demonstrate that time-lapse microscopy is a useful technique for evaluating early-stage cell-biomaterial interaction that is capable of recording important events that might otherwise be overlooked.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
authors.forename: Manoochehr
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasekh
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Constantinos C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Frangos
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bozec
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edirisinghe
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Day
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003199:Computer Systems; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D013997:Time Factors; D059008:Time-Lapse Imaging
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; C016240:polycaprolactone