Abstract
Currently, it is unknown how the mechanical properties of electro spun fibers, and the presentation of surface nano topography influence macrophage gene expression and protein production. By further elucidating how specific fiber properties (mechanical properties or surface properties) alter macrophage behavior, it may be possible to create electro spun fiber scaffolds capable of initiating unique cellular and tissue responses. In this study, we determined the elastic modulus and rigidity of fibers with varying topographies created by finely controlling humidity and including a non-solvent during electrospinning. In total, five fiber scaffold types were produced. Analysis of fiber physical properties demonstrated no change in fiber diameter amongst the five different fiber groups. However, the four different fibrous scaffolds with nano pits or divots each possessed different numbers of pits with different nanoscale dimensions. Unpolarized bone marrow derived murine macrophages (M0), macrophages polarized towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1), or macrophages polarized towards anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2b) were placed onto each of the scaffolds and cytokine RNA expression and protein production were analyzed. Specific nano topographies did not appreciably alter cytokine production from undifferentiated macrophages (M0) or anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2b), but a specific fiber (with many small pits) did increase IL-12 transcript and IL-12 protein production compared to fibers with small divots. When analyzing the mechanical properties between fibers with divots or with many small pits, devoted fibers possessed similar elastic moduli but different stiffness values. In total, we present techniques capable of creating unique electro spun fibers. These unique fibers have varying fiber mechanical characteristics and modestly modulate macrophage cytokine expression.
Recommended Citation
N. J. Schaub et al., "The Effect of Engineered Nanotopography of Electrospun Microfibers on Fiber Rigidity and Macrophage Cytokine Production," Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition, vol. 28, no. 13, pp. 1303 - 1323, Taylor and Francis Group; Taylor and Francis, Sep 2017.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/09205063.2017.1321345
Department(s)
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Electrospun fibers; macrophage polarization; mechanical characteristics; surface topography
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1568-5624; 0920-5063
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 Taylor and Francis Group; Taylor and Francis, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
02 Sep 2017
PubMed ID
28420296
Comments
National Science Foundation, Grant 1105125