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

Regulating cell migration dynamics is of significance in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A 3D scaffold was created to provide various topographies based on a poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) self-induced nanohybrid shish-kebab structure, which consisted of aligned PCL nanofibers and spaced PCL crystal lamellae grown on the fibers. Electrospinning was applied followed by self-induced crystallization. The results resembled natural collagen fibrils in an extracellular matrix. This variable microstructure enabled control of cell adhesion and migration. The kebab size was controlled by initial PCL concentrations. 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.