Accelerated Wound Closure - Differently Organized Nanofibers Affect Cell Migration and Hence the Closure of Artificial Wounds in a Cell Based In Vitro Model

PLoS One. 2017 Jan 6;12(1):e0169419. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169419. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Nanofiber meshes holds great promise in wound healing applications by mimicking the topography of extracellular matrix, hence providing guidance for crucial cells involved in the regenerative processes. Here we explored the influence of nanofiber alignment on fibroblast behavior in a novel in vitro wound model. The model included electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds with different nanofiber orientation. Fibroblasts were cultured to confluency for 24h before custom-made inserts were removed, creating cell-free zones serving as artificial wounds. Cell migration into these wounds was evaluated at 0-, 48- and 96h. Cell morphological analysis was performed using nuclei- and cytoskeleton stainings. Cell viability was assessed using a biochemical assay. This study demonstrates a novel in vitro wound assay, for exploring of the impact of nanofibers on wound healing. Additionally we show that it's possible to affect the process of wound closure in a spatial manner using nanotopographies, resulting in faster closure on aligned fiber substrates.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Extracellular Matrix
  • Fibroblasts
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Nanofibers*
  • Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry
  • Wound Healing*

Grants and funding

The study was funded by grants from NanoLund, Crafoord foundation and Royal Physiographic Society in Lund. For the entire duration of the study all authors were employed by Lund University and none of the funding organizations played any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.