The biomimetic surface topography of Rubus fruticosus leaves stimulate the induction of osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs

The interaction between cells and biomaterials is essential for the success of biomedical applications in which the implantation of biomaterials in the human body is necessary. It has been demonstrated that material's chemical, mechanical, and structural properties can influence cell behaviour. The surface topography of biomaterials is a physical property that can have a major role in mediating cell–material interactions. This interaction can lead to different cell responses regarding cell motility, proliferation, migration, and even differentiation. The combination of biomaterials with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for bone regeneration is a promising strategy to avoid the need for autologous transplant of bone. Surface topography was also associated with the capacity to control MSCs differentiation. Most of the topographies studied so far involve machine-generated surface topographies. Herein, our strategy differentiates from the above mentioned since we selected natural surface topographies that can modulate cell functions for regenerative medicine strategies. Rubus fruticosus leaf was the selected topography to be replicated in polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes through polydimethylsiloxane moulding and using soft lithography. Afterwards, rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs) were seeded at the surface of the imprinted PCL membranes to characterize the bioactive potential of our biomimetic surface topography to drive rBMSCs differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. The selected surface topography in combination with the osteogenic inductive medium reveals having a synergistic effect promoting osteogenic differentiation.