Abstract
Biomimetic replication of the structural anisotropy of musculoskeletal tissues is important to restore proper tissue mechanics and function. Physical cues from the local micro-environment, such as matrix fiber orientation, may influence the differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization of osteogenic progenitor cells. This study investigates how scaffold fiber orientation affects the behavior of mature and progenitor osteogenic cells, the influence on secreted mineralized-collagenous matrix organization, and the resulting construct mechanical properties. Gelatin-coated electrospun poly(caprolactone) fibrous scaffolds were fabricated with either a low or a high degree of anisotropy and cultured with mature osteoblasts (MLO-A5s) or osteogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells (hES-MPs). For MLO-A5 cells, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was highest, and more calcium-containing matrix was deposited onto aligned scaffolds. In contrast, hES-MPs, osteogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells, exhibited higher ALP activity, collagen, and calcium deposition on randomly orientated fibers compared with aligned counterparts. Deposited matrix was isotropic on random fibrous scaffolds, whereas a greater degree of anisotropy was observed in aligned fibrous constructs, as confirmed by second harmonic generation (SHG) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. This resulted in anisotropic mechanical properties on aligned constructs. This study indicates that mineralized-matrix deposition by osteoblasts can be controlled by scaffold alignment but that the early stages of osteogenesis may not benefit from culture on orientated scaffolds.