Open AccessPatterning on Topography for Generation of Cell Culture Substrates with Independent Nanoscale Control of Chemical and Topographical Extracellular Matrix Cues
Author(s) -
Sevcik Emily N.,
Szymanski John M.,
Jallerat Quentin,
Feinberg Adam W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
current protocols in cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.149
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1934-2616
pISSN - 1934-2500
DOI - 10.1002/cpcb.25
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , nanotechnology , tissue engineering , function (biology) , biomaterial , chemistry , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biomedical engineering , engineering
The cell microenvironment plays an important role in many biological processes, including development and disease progression. Key to this is the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex biopolymer network serving as the primary insoluble signaling network for physical, chemical, and mechanical cues. In vitro, the ability to engineer the ECM at the micro‐ and nanoscales is a critical tool to systematically interrogate the influence of ECM properties on cellular responses. Specifically, both topographical and chemical surface patterning has been shown to direct cell alignment and tissue architecture on biomaterial surfaces, however, it has proven challenging to independently control these surface properties. This protocol describes a method termed Patterning on Topography (PoT) to engineer 2D nanopatterns of ECM proteins onto topographically complex substrates, which enables independent control of physical and chemical surface properties. Applications include interrogation of fundamental cell‐surface interactions and engineering interfaces that can direct cell and/or tissue function. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.