Engineered PDMS microtopography: Precision regulation of tendon stem cell behavior for tendon regeneration.

Microtopography critically regulates tendon stem cell (TSC) migration for repair, yet its precise roles remain unclear. We engineered polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffolds with precisely defined micron-scale pits and columns (diameters 7-21 μm, spacings 13-47 μm) via ultraviolet lithography and etching. High-throughput screening to promote TSC viability identified six optimal topographies: three pit-based topographies (diameters/spacings: 7 μm/47 μm, 11 μm/18 μm, 21 μm/26 μm) and three column-based topographies (diameters/spacings: 8 μm/14 μm, 13 μm/13 μm, 18 μm/18 μm).

High-strength chitosan-sericin cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks for hemostasis.

Developing chitosan-based hemostatic cryogels with simultaneously excellent mechanical properties and good biocompatibilities is still a challenge yet crucial for hemostasis of deep tissue bleeding. Typical approaches to enhancing the mechanical properties sacrifice biocompatibility of chitosan cryogels, thereby increasing the potential application risk. In this study, we develop a chitosan-sericin-ε-polylysine (CS-Ser-EPL) cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks achieved by physical and chemical crosslinking to address the limitations.

In vitro regulation of collective cell migration: Understanding the role of physical and chemical microenvironments.

Collective cell migration is the primary mode of cellular movement during embryonic morphogenesis, tissue repair and regeneration, and cancer invasion. Distinct from single-cell migration, collective cell migration involves complex intercellular signaling cascades and force transmission. Consequently, cell collectives exhibit intricate and diverse migration patterns under the influence of the microenvironment in vivo.

Promising application of pulsed electromagnetic fields on tissue repair and regeneration.

Tissue repair and regeneration is a vital biological process in organisms, which is influenced by various internal mechanisms and microenvironments. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are becoming a potential medical technology due to its advantages of effectiveness and non-invasiveness. Numerous studies have demonstrated that PEMFs can stimulate stem cell proliferation and differentiation, regulate inflammatory reactions, accelerate wound healing, which is of great significance for tissue regeneration and repair, providing a solid basis for enlarging its clinical application.

Regulation of Tendon Stem Cell Behavior by Designed Nanoporous Topography of Microfibers.

Nano scale topography scaffold is more bioactive and biomimetic than smooth fiber topographies. Tendon stem cells (TSCs) play important roles in the tendinogenesis of tendon tissue engineering, but the effects and mechanisms of nano topography on TSC behavior are still unclear. This study determined whether the morphology, proliferation, cytoskeleton, and differentiation of TSCs are affected by topography of scaffold in vitro.

The regulation of tendon stem cell distribution, morphology, and gene expression by the modulus of microfibers.

The mechanical properties of a stem cell culture substrate significantly impact cell adhesion, survival, migration, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro. A major challenge in engineering artificial stem cell substrate is to properly identify the relevant physical features of native stem cell niches, which are likely different for each stem cell type. The behavior of tendon stem cells has potentially significant implications for tendon repair.