Cell Sensing and Response to Micro- and Nanostructured Surfaces Produced by Chemical and Topographic Patterning

Abstract

Chemical and topographic substrate surface patterning is recognized as a powerful tool for regulating cell functions. We discuss the relative role of scale and pattern of chemically and topographically patterned surfaces in regulating cell behavior. Chemical patterning achieved using spatial cell-adhesive molecular organization regulates different cell functions depending on its scale (micropattern for cell patterning and derived cell functions, nanopattern for collective cell functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation). In chemical patterning, a direct and specific cell-sensing mechanism such as integrin-ligand binding governs. Alternatively, topographic modification affects different cell functions depending on its pattern (anisotropic ridges and grooves for contact-guided cell alignment, isotropic textures having randomly or evenly distributed topographic features for collective functions). For all topographic patterns, micro- or nanotopographic scale determines whether specific cell reactions occur. If the topography effect were assessed under the same surface chemistry, cell adaptation processes would play a major role in cell sensing and response to topography, largely independent of mediation via differences in adsorbed proteins. Controlling scale and pattern in chemical and topographic substrate patterning would help significantly to develop purpose-specific cell-regulating cues in various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, implants, cell-based biosensors, microarrays, and basic cell biology.

Hydrodynamic Cell Trapping for High Throughput Single-Cell Applications

“…Several other methods have also been coupled with microfluidics for cell immobilization and conducting controlled, complete cell assays. Flow-based active cell trapping by using control valves [14,15], non-invasive optical trapping [16][17][18], dielectrophoresis [19][20][21], surface chemistry modification techniques [22,23], arrays of physical barriers [24], cell trapping by negative pressure [25,26], and hydrodynamic methods [27][28][29] are some of these successfully established techniques.…”

Wettability studies of topologically distinct titanium surfaces

“…[33][34][35] In fact, cells are presumed to sense and respond to such nanoscale topographical attributes also through membrane deformation and stretching. 18,36,37 All these surfaces own a specific nanostructure which enables the desirable adsorption of proteins which further guide cells.…”

Cell-Protein-Material Interaction in Tissue Engineering

“…Micro and nano patterned surfaces have been prepared for a better understanding of the cell response to topographic features, mainly in what cell adhesion is concerned. Anisotropic surfaces prepared by lithographic and microfabrication techniques can induce cell reorientation following microgrooves, the so-called contact guidance phenomenon (Ohara & Buck, 1979;Lim, 2007); and the scale of anisotropic topography plays an important role in deciding cell alignment (Affrossman et al, 2000). Different techniques have been used to produce controlled isotropic topographies at different scales which include photolithography, electron beam lithography, colloidal lithography, polymer solvent demixing techniques during a high speed spin-casting process (Denis et al, 2002;View et al, 2000;Kriparamanan et al, 2006;Dalby et al, 2004).…”