Cyclic Strain Affects Macrophage Cytokine Secretion and Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Electrospun Scaffolds

Abstract

Electrospun elastomeric scaffolds are being used for a variety of <i>in situ</i> tissue engineering applications, in which biomechanical loads play a dominant <i>in vivo</i> role, such as cardiovascular replacements (e.g., heart valve and blood vessel prostheses) and pelvic floor reconstruction. The findings of this study underline that immunomodulatory scaffolds for biomechanically loaded applications should be mechanically tailored, for example, in terms of stiffness and compliance, to support a desirable proregenerative macrophage phenotype. Moreover, this research contributes to the general understanding of pathophysiological macrophage phenotypes in cyclically strained tissues (e.g., atherosclerotic plaques), and their role in tissue regeneration and degeneration.