Interaction of Cells with Polyurethane Scaffolds

Biodegradable polyurethane scaffolds have been used to control cell fate and tissue regeneration. Scaffold properties including chemical, mechanical, and structural affect cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and differentiation. These properties are determined by the chemistry of biodegradable polyurethanes, scaffold fabrication techniques, and surface modification approaches. In this chapter, we review the effect of chemical, mechanical, and structural properties of nanofibrous scaffolds, microporous scaffolds, multilayered scaffolds, and scaffolds with nanostructured surfaces, on cell fate and tissue regeneration. Current challenges in determining the relationship of scaffold properties and cell fate are discussed and future perspectives are addressed.