Stem cells on aligned scaffolds: the role of continuous perfusion in achieving a tenogenic phenotype

Tendons are composed of resident cells and oriented collagen bundles. Tendon structural organization withstands tension as mechanical forces play a pivotal role in the functionality of healthy tendons. Although flow perfusion has been applied as mechanical stimulus in bone and cartilage1 tissues, it is still barely explored in tendon engineering.

This study investigates the potential of flow perfusion in cell-laden aligned scaffolds aiming at tendon strategies. A scaffold made of starch and polycaprolactone (SPCL) with aligned fiber arrangement was designed to resemble the tendon structure. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were seeded onto the scaffolds, and cell behavior assessed in perfusion and static conditions. Continuous perfusion was provided by a bioreactor system, whose effect on the viability and tenogenic differentiation of hASCs was analyzed after 14 days of culture.