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Cover Picture: Activation of Integrin Function by Nanopatterned Adhesive Interfaces (ChemPhysChem 3/2004)
Author(s) -
Arnold Marco,
CavalcantiAdam Elisabetta Ada,
Glass Roman,
Blümmel Jacques,
Eck Wolfgang,
Kantlehner Martin,
Kessler Horst,
Spatz Joachim P.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.200490013
Subject(s) - integrin , focal adhesion , adhesion , lamellipodium , cell adhesion , substrate (aquarium) , biophysics , materials science , nanotechnology , chemistry , cell , cell migration , biochemistry , composite material , biology , ecology
The cover picture shows the first demonstration of cell adhesion activation through a nanoadhesive pattern with single integrin resolution. Scanning electron microscopy images nanoscopic 6‐nm large Au particles as white dots, which are functionalized with cell ligands and organized in a square pattern. The free glass substrate area between the Au is covered with a biologically inert polymer, thereby avoiding protein or cell interactions with the glass. A few cell lamellipodia experience this environment and adhere entirely to the Au–nanoparticle pattern squares. The substrate forms a well‐defined, rigid adhesion pattern where Au particles control integrin–integrin interactions in focal adhesions by their separation distance. A separation between single intergrins of ≥73 nm results in limited cell attachment and spreading, and dramatically reduces the formation of focal adhesion and actin stress fibers. The range of 58–73 nm is found to be a universal length scale for integrin clustering and activation, since these properties are shared by a variety of cultured cells. Find out more in the Communication by Spatz et al. on page 383.