Endothelial Cell Migration on Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanofibers Coated with a Nanohybrid Shish-Kebab Structure Mimicking Collagen Fibrils

Regulating cell migration dynamics is important for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A 3-D scaffold was created to provide various topographies based on a poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) self-induced nanohybrid shish-kebab structure. The structure consisted of aligned PCL nanofibers covered by spaced PCL crystal lamellae. Electrospinning was applied, followed by self-induced crystallization. The result resembled natural collagen fibrils in an extracellular matrix. This variable microstructure enabled control of cell adhesion and migration. Kebab size was controlled by initial PCL concentration. The geometry of cells seeded on the fibers was less elongated but the adhesion was more polarized, with a higher nuclear shape index and faster migration speed. These results could aid in rapid endothelialization in tissue engineering.