Influences of surface chemistry and swelling of salt-treated polyelectrolyte multilayers on migration of smooth muscle cells

Abstract

The cell migration plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes and can be regulated by the cell -substrate interactions. We found previously that the poly (sodium 4-styrenesulphonate) (PSS)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) multilayers post-treated in 1-5 M NaCl solutions result in continuous changes of their physicochemical properties such as thickness, chemical composition, surface charge, swelling ratio and wettability. In this study, the responses of human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on these salt-treated multilayers, particularly the governing factors of cellular migration that offer principles for designing therapeutics and implants, were disclosed. The cell migration rate was slowest on the 3 M NaCl-treated multilayers, which was comparable with that on tissue culture plates, but it was highest on 5 M NaCl-treated multilayers. To elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms, cell adhesion, proliferation, adhesion and related gene expressions were further investigated. The SMCs preferred to attach, spread and proliferate on the PSS-dominated surfaces with well-organized focal adhesion and actin fibres, especially on the 3 M NaCl-treated multilayers, while were kept round and showed low viability on the PDADMAC-dominated surfaces. The relative mRNA expression levels of adhesion-related genes such as fibronectin, laminin and focal adhesion kinase, and migration-related genes such as myosin IIA and Cdc42 were compared to explain the different cellular behaviours. These results reveal that the surface chemistry and the swelling of the salt-treated multilayers govern the cell migration behaviours.

A complementary density gradient of zwitterionic polymer brushes and NCAM peptides for selectively controlling directional migration of Schwann cells

“…For example, by adjusting the cell adhesion force on the substrates, the cell migration rate can be modulated by the grafting amount of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) [17], the brush length of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) [18], and the stiffness of salt-treated multilayers [19]. Because all these methods adjusted surface wettability and thus changed cellesubstrate interaction [20].…”

Growth and motility of human skin fibroblasts on multilayer strong polyelectrolyte films

“…Usually, cell motility is directly influenced by the formation and presence of focal adhesions [35]. In order to migrate, cell has to form new adhesion points on its leading edge, and simultaneously release the old ones in its rear [36].…”

“…In order to migrate, cell has to form new adhesion points on its leading edge, and simultaneously release the old ones in its rear [36]. The focal adhesions assembled significantly in most area of the cells can cause tight adhesion, disrupt release of the rear, and thereby inhibit cell motility and result in the slowest migration rate [35,37]. This result is consistent with the fact that the over-expression of vinculin reduces cell motility, whereas generally the cells expressing lower vinculin migrate much faster [38].…”

Gelatin modified ultrathin silk fibroin films for enhanced proliferation of cells

“…Attachment, spreading and proliferation of anchorage dependent cells are strongly influenced by surface biocompatibility including surface physical, chemical and biological properties such as structural stability, roughness, wettability, charge, chemical groups and cell-binding ligands [1][2][3][4]. How to mediate the cell-surface interaction remains a big challenge in cell culture, tissue engineering and biomedical applications.…”