Electrospun scaffolds have a 3D fibrous structure that attempts to imitate the extracellular matrix in order to be able to host cells. It has been reported in the literature that controlling fiber surface topography produces varying results regarding cell-scaffold interactions. This review analyzes the relevant literature concerning in vitro studies to provide a better understanding of the effect that controlling fiber surface topography has on cell-scaffold interactions. A systematic approach following PRISMA, GRADE, PICO, and other standard methodological frameworks for systematic reviews was used. Different topographic interventions and their effects on cell-scaffold interactions were analyzed. Results indicate that nanopores and roughness on fiber surfaces seem to improve proliferation and adhesion of cells. The quality of the evidence is different for each studied cell-scaffold interaction, and for each studied morphological attribute. The evidence points to improvements in cell-scaffold interactions on most morphologically complex fiber surfaces. The discussion includes an in-depth evaluation of the indirectness of the evidence, as well as the potentially involved publication bias. Insights and suggestions about dose-dependency relationship, as well as the effect on particular cell and polymer types, are presented. It is concluded that topographical alterations to the fiber surface should be further studied, since results so far are promising.
Keywords: cell adhesion; cell differentiation; cell proliferation; electrospun scaffold; fiber surface; nanoporosity; nanotopography; surface morphology; topography.