Molecular Engineering of Peptides for Cellular Adhesion Control

Effect of changes in the surface chemistry and topography of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) on the in vitro attachment of human corneal epithelial cells

“…Therefore, the incorporation within the biomaterial surface of short peptide sequences that are recognized as ligands by the cellular receptors has become a strategy for promoting or enhancing the adhesion of cells when this is required. 3,[13][14][15] The main cellular receptors that mediate the cell anchorage to substrata are the integrins, of which functions and abundance both outside and inside of the cell make them essential to life. 2,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The cell adhesion peptide sequences that are recognized as ligands by the integrins include Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) from fibronectin, 24,25 Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) from laminin (β1 chain), 26 Asp-Gly-Glu-Ala (DGEA) from collagen, 27 and many others.…”

“…In coping with this challenge, the functionality of a cell in contact with the surface of a biomaterial substratum, defining ultimately the nature of tissue-implant interaction, is dependent on an environment containing interactive biomolecules, dissolved ionic compounds and insoluble substances. 3 Furthermore, the adhesion of cells to the surface of a biomaterial determines its success or failure as an implanted device. Cell adhesion is unwanted in applications involving catheters or heart valves, for instance; however, it is desired in other applications, such as orthopaedic implants or biocolonizable scaffolds and membranes for tissue engineering.…”