Photolithography and micromolding techniques for the realization of polycaprolactone 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering use biomaterials, technologies and techniques to treat damaged tissues and organs. Among the biomaterials used in recent years, a large space was devoted to Polycaprolactone (PCL)[1]; it is a biodegradable polymer that has already been used for the realization of different type of surgical implants [2]. The choice towards this material was dictated by its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work microfabrication techniques have been employed for the realization of 3D microstructured PCL surface. Starting from Si molds obtained through photolithography processes and reactive ion ecthing, the pillared PCL devices were obtained through simple micromolding techniques. The scaffolds surfaces are constituted by microstructures in the shape of cylindrical pillars with the following characteristics: 10 μm height, 10 μm diameter and 20 μm spacing between the pillars [3]. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used for the morphological characterization of the surface of the devices (see Figs 1 and 2). In order to validate the efficacy and biocompatibility of the presented scaffolds, Human Neural Stem Cells (NSC) were seeded on it. Immunofluorescence analysis was carried out for testing the adhesion, survival, and cell proliferation (see Figs 3 and 4). The results of our experiments demonstrated that cells grow healthy on the PCL substrates, showing how the NSC joined substrates proliferating on them, forming connections between adjacent pillars. In conclusion this kind of 3D hydrophobic micropatterned surface allow a better control of the cells-substrate interaction representing a considerable potential for tissue engineering applications.