Abstract

All of the cells' interactions are done through their surfaces. So, whatever associated with cell surface can affect its behavior. Stem cells show more significant sensitivity to surface interactions than other cells in the body because of their stemness. Thus, a series of extrinsic and intrinsic cell mechanisms lead to regulated unique cell behavior, including the following: the capacity for proliferation without loss of potency and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell type(s). Therefore, understanding those surface mechanisms underlying self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells including the study of cell communication pathways and endogenous stem cell niche is in the center of attention. Cells can sense the surface properties of substrate that are located on their surfaces by their receptors. Recent progresses are in this field to understanding the importance and influence of the surface properties on the fate. To develop better techniques for controlling cell fate, cell-and matrix-based assays for evaluating the effectiveness of engineered surfaces are critical. This chapter is an introduction to the effects of surface properties of the polymer matrices that can be used in tissue engineering and the impact of these properties on the cell fates. This can open new prospects in tissue engineering based on engineered surface structures of scaffolds as microenvironments.