The role of three-dimensional polymeric scaffold configuration on the uniformity of connective tissue formation by adipose stromal cells

To form tissues with uniform cell distribution and extracellular matrix arrangement is of great relevance to obtain the desirable function and maintain structural integrity. Scaffold configuration is believed to play a critical role in regulating cell spatial distribution and consequently tissue formation. In this study, three types of poly(ethyleneglycol-terephthalate)–poly (butylenes terephthalate) (PEGT/PBT) scaffolds [compression molded scaffold (CM), compression molded scaffold after chloroform/isopropanol reticulation (CMR), 3D rapid prototyped fibrous scaffold (RP)] with various configurations were used to support the tissue formation of adipose stromal cells for up to 21 days. Characterization of the scaffolds with μCT revealed that RP scaffolds were composed of repeating structural units with well controlled interconnected pores, in contrast to the irregular pore morphology in CM or CMR. Cell seeding efficacy onto various scaffolds was comparable (from 67 ± 4% to 82 ± 3%), while only RP scaffold led to even cell attachment onto the inner fibers of the scaffolds. Continuous cell proliferation and deposition of new collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) were measured for all three scaffolds, while with a significant amount measured in RP at 21 days. By 21 days, complete uniform tissue formation was only achieved in RP scaffolds under a dynamic cell culture in spinner flasks. The present study successfully demonstrates the feasibility of controlling uniform tissue formation at a microscale by manipulating the structural configuration of the scaffold.