Silica-Based Nonwoven Fiber Fabricated by Electrospinning to Promote Fibroblast Functions

Cellular engraftment onto an engineered scaffold is of significant importance for successful implantation. Herein, we propose the use of three-dimensional (3D) silica nonwoven fabrics (SNFs, Cellbed (R)) synthesized using the electrospinning method, which creates an excellent environment for greater cultured cell growth and subsequent tissue formation due to preserving the extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic inherent structure of the scaffold. Regarding the fibroblast culture on the scaffold, cellular function, in terms of collagen type I synthesis, was more enhanced than that of the conventional plane culture due to the efficient permeability and satisfactory physiological morphologies of 3D SNFs.