Journal article
Three-dimensional hierarchical cultivation of human skin cells on bio-adaptive hybrid fibers
Integrative biology (Cambridge), v 8(7), pp 775-784
11 Jul 2016
PMID: 27241237
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The human skin comprises a complex multi-scale layered structure with hierarchical organization of different cells within the extracellular matrix (ECM). This supportive fiber-reinforced structure provides a dynamically changing microenvironment with specific topographical, mechanical and biochemical cell recognition sites to facilitate cell attachment and proliferation. Current advances in developing artificial matrices for cultivation of human cells concentrate on surface functionalizing of biocompatible materials with different biomolecules like growth factors to enhance cell attachment. However, an often neglected aspect for efficient modulation of cell-matrix interactions is posed by the mechanical characteristics of such artificial matrices. To address this issue, we fabricated biocompatible hybrid fibers simulating the complex biomechanical characteristics of native ECM in human skin. Subsequently, we analyzed interactions of such fibers with human skin cells focusing on the identification of key fiber characteristics for optimized cell-matrix interactions. We successfully identified the mediating effect of bio-adaptive elasto-plastic stiffness paired with hydrophilic surface properties as key factors for cell attachment and proliferation, thus elucidating the synergistic role of these parameters to induce cellular responses. Co-cultivation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes on such fiber mats representing the specific cells in dermis and epidermis resulted in a hierarchical organization of dermal and epidermal tissue layers. In addition, terminal differentiation of keratinocytes at the air interface was observed. These findings provide valuable new insights into cell behaviour in three-dimensional structures and cell-material interactions which can be used for rational development of bio-inspired functional materials for advanced biomedical applications.
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Details
- Title
- Three-dimensional hierarchical cultivation of human skin cells on bio-adaptive hybrid fibers
- Creators
- Viktoria Planz - Saarland UniversitySalem Seif - In-Q-TelJennifer S Atchison - Leibniz-Institute for New MaterialsBranko Vukosavljevic - Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research SaarlandLisa Sparenberg - In-Q-TelElmar Kroner - Leibniz-Institute for New MaterialsJennifer S Atchison - Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering and MechanicsMaike Windbergs - Saarland University
- Publication Details
- Integrative biology (Cambridge), v 8(7), pp 775-784
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000379430200005
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84978372386
- Other Identifier
- 991022017599904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Cell Biology