Cellular Response to Surface Topography and Substrate Stiffness

Abstract

Materials can dominate stem cell fate by chemical, biological, topographical and mechanical approaches. Cell feel the cues provided by biomaterial surfaces at both micrometer and nanometer scale, which leads to a series of signal pathways changing dominated by integrin. In addition, as an irregular pattern, the influence of substrate roughness on cellular behavior is also considered in this chapter. Another mechanical cue that affected cell behavior is the stiffness of substrate. Through an understanding of micro/nano-patterns and substrate stiffness that regulate cell behavior and decide stem cells’ fates, a more superior design of biomaterials will be employed in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.