Bioadhesion and surface wettability are influenced by microscale topography. In the present study, engineered pillars, ridges and biomimetic topography inspired by the skin of fast moving sharks (Sharklet AF) were replicated in polydimethylsiloxane elastomer. Sessile drop contact angle changes on the surfaces correlated well (R2 = 0.89) with Wenzel and Cassie and Baxter's relationships for wettability. Two separate biological responses, i.e. settlement of Ulva linza zoospores and alignment of porcine cardiovascular endothelial cells, were inversely proportional to the width (between 5 and 20 microm) of the engineered channels. Zoospore settlement was reduced by approximately 85% on the finer (ca 2 microm) and more complex Sharklet AF topographies. The response of both cell types suggests their responses are governed by the same underlying thermodynamic principles as wettability.

Advanced age is associated with a dramatic increase in the rates of venous and arterial thrombotic events. Increases in fibrinogen, factors VIII and IX, and other coagulation proteins, without a proportional increase in anticoagulant factors, likely contribute to this risk. Recent studies have delineated a role for genomic elements in controlling age-related expression of some coagulation proteins. Enhanced platelet activity as well as molecular and anatomic changes in the vessel wall also contribute to the thrombotic propensity. Advanced age is associated with elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein levels, indicating an inflammatory state that may be an important stimulus for thrombus formation in the elderly. Despite evidence of a prothrombotic state, many elderly people do not experience clinical thrombotic events. It is possible that the increase in coagulation proteins and activation markers conveys a survival advantage, such as inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. The recent epidemic in obesity may heighten thrombotic risks in the elderly because adipose tissue is an important source of inflammatory cytokines and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). As the population ages, further studies will be warranted to define the mechanisms for thrombosis in the elderly.

We examined how variations in elastic modulus, surface chemistry and the height and spacing of micro-ridges interact and effect endothelial cell (EC) alignment. Specifically, we employed independent control of the surface properties in order to elucidate the relative importance of each factor. Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (PDMSe) was fabricated with 1.5 or 5 microm tall, 5 microm spaced and 5, 10, or 20 microm wide ridge microtopographies. Elastic modulus was varied from 0.3, 1.0, 1.4, and 2.3 MPa by controlling oligomeric additives and crosslink density. Surface chemistry was left untreated, argon plasma treated, coated with fibronectin (Fn) or patterned with Fn tracks on flat PDMSe or the tops of micro-ridges. Primary porcine vascular ECs were cultured on the PDMSe substrates and nuclear form factor (NFF) was used to determine cell orientation relative to surface microtopography. Experimental results showed that microtopographical variation strongly altered EC alignment on Fn coated surfaces, but not on plasma treated surfaces. Interestingly, similar alignment was achieved with different orientation cues, either micropatterned chemistry (2D) or microtopography (3D). In total, the effect of varying one of the experimental parameters depended strongly on the state of the others, highlighting the need for multi-factor analysis of surface properties for applications where cells and tissue will contact synthetic materials.

The energetics of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer biointerface were micro-engineered through topographical and chemical modification to elicit controlled cellular responses. The PDMS elastomer surfaces were engineered with micrometer scale pillars and ridges on the surface and variable mechanical properties intended to effect directed cell behavior. The topographical features were created by casting the elastomer against epoxy replicas of micropatterned silicon wafers. Using UV photolithography and a reactive ion etching process, highly controlled and repeatable surface microtextures were produced on these wafers. AFM, SEM and white light interference profilometry (WLIP) confirmed the 197 high fidelity of the pattern transfer process from wafer to elastomer. Ridges and pillars 5 μm wide and 1.5 μm or 5 μm tall separated by valleys at 5 μm, 10 μm, or 20 μm widths were examined. Mechanical properties were modulated by addition of linear and branched nonfunctional trimethylsiloxy terminated silicone oils.The modulus of the siloxane elastomer decreased from 1.43 MPa for the unmodified formulation to as low as 0.81 MPa with additives. The oils had no significant effect on the surface energy of the siloxane elastomer as measured by goniometry. Two main biological systems were studied: spores of the green alga Enteromorpha and porcine vascular endothelial cells (PVECs). The density of Enteromorpha spores that settled increased as the valley width decreased. The surface properties of the elastomer were altered by Argon plasma, radio frequency glow discharge (RFGD) treatment, to increase the hydrophilicity for PVEC culture. The endothelial cells formed a confluent layer on the RFGD treated smooth siloxane surface that was interrupted when micro-topography was introduced.

A main limitation of biomedical devices is the inability to start, stop, and control cell growth making it crucial to develop biomaterial surfaces that induce a desired cellular response. Micropatterns of ridges and pillars were created in a siloxane elastomer (Dow Corning) by casting against epoxy replicates of a micromachined silicon wafer. Silicone oils were incorporated to determine the change in modulus and surface energy caused by these additives. SEM and white light interference profilometry verified that the micropatterning process produced high fidelity, low defect micropatterns. Mechanical analysis indicated that varying the viscosity, weight percent and functionality of the added silicone oil could change the elastic modulus by over an order of magnitude (0.1-2.3 MPa). As a self-wetting resin, silicone oils migrate to the surface, hence changing the surface properties from the bulk. Both topographical and chemical features define the surface energy, which in combination with elastic modulus, dictate biological activity. The results imply that the morphology, mechanical properties and surface energy of the siloxane elastomer can be modified to elicit a specific cell response as a function of engineered topographical and chemical functionalization.