ABSTRACT
The extracellular matrix is a ubiquitous structure found in tissues and consists of a basement membrane and an interstitial matrix. The progression into more advanced terrain was marked by approaches that included electrospinning, phase separation, polymer demixing, and self-assembly. Transmission electron microscopy images depicted nanocolumns forming indentations on the cells' surface, and the authors noted that this imprinting extended internally into the cell, as well. Among their key findings, the authors revealed that groove depth impacted cell alignment to a greater extent than pitch. The chapter discusses the incorporating nanopatterns into a microfluidic channel, the authors were able to understand the relative contribution of shear flow and topography on MSC shape, adhesion, and orientation. While changes in cytoskeletal organization have been recognized as a consequence of altered substrate nanotopography, the mechanism responsible for this has yet to be elucidated. Nanotopographical features can arise spontaneously through a plethora of surface processing techniques.
