Shape-memory-actuated change in scaffold fiber alignment directs stem cell morphology.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Tissue engineering scaffolds have traditionally been static physical structures poorly suited to mimicking the complex dynamic behavior of in vivo microenvironments. Here we present a thermoresponsive scaffold that can be programmed to change macroscopic shape and microscopic architecture during cell culture. The scaffold, which was prepared by electrospinning a shape memory polymer (SMP), was used to test the hypothesis that a shape-memory-actuated change in scaffold fiber alignment could be used to control the behavior of attached and viable cells. To test this hypothesis, we stretched an SMP scaffold of randomly oriented fibers and fixed the scaffold in a temporary but stable elongated shape in which fibers were aligned by the strain. Following seeding and culture of human adipose-derived stem cells on the strain-aligned scaffold, the scaffold was triggered to transition back to its initial shape and random fiber orientation via shape memory actuation using a cytocompatible temperature increase. We found that cells preferentially aligned along the fiber direction of the strain-aligned scaffold before shape memory actuation. After shape memory actuation, cells remained attached and viable but lost preferential alignment. These results demonstrate that shape-memory-actuated changes in scaffold fiber alignment can be achieved with attached and viable cells and can control cell

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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