Work

Satin weave as a programmable anisotropic cue for directing cell alignment and accelerating tissue repair

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Replicating the precise topographical guidance of native extracellular matrix is a key goal in functional tissue engineering. Textile-based scaffolds possess biomimetic fibrous architecture and clinical suitability, but have been largely confined to passive mechanical support, overlooking their bioactive surface topography. Here, we demonstrate that woven architecture itself can serve as a programmable bioactive cue. Using silk fibroin, representative plain (SFP), twill (SFT), and satin (SFS) weaves are fabricated. Systematic characterization reveals distinctly warp-float lengths and warp-to-weft float ratios: SFP with short floats (274.2 ± 25.9 μm, ratio ≈1), SFT with intermediate floats (492.7 ± 17.8 μm, ratio ≈2), and SFS with long continuous warp floats (830.8 ± 20.5 μm, ratio >19). In vitro multi-lineage cell assays demonstrate that SFS weave induces remarkable anisotropic guidance, yielding exceptional cell elongation (aspect ratio > 18), high alignment (> 84%), and accelerated directional migration. In vivo, the aligned topography of SFS scaffolds orchestrates a pro-regenerative immune microenvironment, as evidenced by enhanced collagen deposition, M2 macrophage polarization (upregulated CD206, downregulated CD86), and increased angiogenesis (CD31), synergistically accelerating tissue repair. These findings highlight woven architecture as a designable parameter that directly programs cellular organization and immune responses, advancing topology-driven strategies for regenerative biomaterials.

Source: Regenerative Biomaterials

DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbag227