Macrophage cell morphology-imprinted substrates can modulate mesenchymal stem cell behaviors and macrophage M1/M2 polarization for wound healing applications

Mesenchymal stem cells and macrophages (MQ) are two very important cells involved in the normal wound healing process. It is well understood that topological cues and mechanical factors can lead to different responses in stem cells and MQ by influencing their shape, cytoskeleton proliferation, migration, and differentiation, which play an essential role in the success or failure of biomaterial implantation and more importantly wound healing. On the other hand, the polarization of MQ from proinflammatory (M1) to prohealing (M2) phenotypes has a critical role in the acceleration of wound healing. In this study, the morphology of different MQ subtypes (M0, M1, and M2) was imprinted on a silicon surface (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS]) to prepare a nano-topography cell-imprinted substrate with the ability to induce anti-inflammatory effects on the mouse adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and RAW264.7 monocyte cell line (MO). The gene expression profiles and flow cytometry of MQ revealed that the cell shape microstructure promoted the MQ phenotypes according to the specific shape of each pattern. The ELISA results were in agreement with the gene expression profiles. The ADSCs on the patterned PDMS exhibited remarkably different shapes from no-patterned PDMS. The MOs grown on M2 morphological patterns showed a significant increase in expression and section of anti-inflammatory cytokine compared with M0 and M1 patterns. The ADSCs homing in niches heavily deformed the cytoskeletal, which is probably why the gene expression and phenotype unexpectedly changed. In conclusion, wound dressings with M2 cell morphology-induced surfaces are suggested as excellent anti-inflammatory and antiscarring dressings. RAW264.7 monocyte cells (as M0 cells) were differentiated into M1 and M2 subtypes and the morphology of different macrophage subtypes (M0, M1, and M2) was imprinted on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface (A-C). The mouse adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and RAW264.7 (MOs) cultured on the PDMSs (D). The effects of topography on the cultured cell's behaviors were investigated by SEM, AFM, Fluorescence Microscope, qPCR, ELISA and flowcytometry assays (E). In conclusion, wound dressings with M2 cell morphology-induced surfaces are suggested as excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring dressings.image

Automated summary

Cell morphology and topological cues have significant impacts on the functions of mesenchymal stem cells and macrophages, which are crucial for biomaterial implantation and wound healing. Study showed that cell-imprinted surfaces could induce the polarization of macrophages towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Therefore, wound dressings with M2 cell morphology-induced surfaces are suggested as excellent options for anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring effects.