title: Electrospun nanofiber scaffolds for investigating cell-matrix adhesion.
abstract: It has become increasingly clear that the cellular microenvironment, in particular the extracellular matrix, plays an important role in regulating cell function. However, the extracellular matrix is extraordinarily complex in both its makeup and its physical properties. Therefore, there is a need to develop model systems to independently evaluate the effect of specific extracellular matrix features upon cells. Here we describe a model system to evaluate one aspect of the extracellular matrix, its fibrous topology. We describe how to generate bio-mimetic nanofibers by electrospinning, how to grow cells on these fibers, and also some methods for fixing and visualizing cells grown on these fibers. These methods can be used to investigate a wide range of biological questions, including, but not limited to, cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and cell motility on extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McLane
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Schaub
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ligon
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D021982:Cell-Matrix Junctions / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds