Controlled Stiffness of Direct-Write, Near-Field Electrospun Gelatin Fibers Generates Differences in Tenocyte Morphology and Gene Expression.

ABSTRACT: Tendinopathy is a leading cause of mobility issues. Currently, the cell-matrix interactions involved in the development of tendinopathy are not fully understood. In vitro tendon models provide a unique tool for addressing this knowledge gap as they permit fine control over biochemical, micromechanical, and structural aspects of the local environment to explore cell-matrix interactions. In this study, direct-write, near-field electrospinning of gelatin solution was implemented to fabricate micron-scale fibrous scaffolds that mimic native collagen fiber size and orientation. The stiffness of these fibrous scaffolds was found to be controllable between 1 MPa and 8 MPa using different crosslinking methods (EDC, DHT, DHT+EDC) or through altering the duration of crosslinking with EDC (1 h to 24 

SUBMITTER: Davis ZG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11080953 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature