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Biomaterials functionalized with nanoclusters of integrin‐ and syndecan‐binding ligands improve cell adhesion and mechanosensing under shear flow conditions
Author(s) -
Karimi Fatemeh,
Thombare Varsha Jagannath,
Hutton Craig A.,
O'Connor Andrea J.,
Qiao Greg G.,
Heath Daniel E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.37024
Subject(s) - integrin , mechanotransduction , cell adhesion , syndecan 1 , biophysics , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , adhesion , shear stress , receptor , cell , nanotechnology , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , composite material
We have engineered biomaterials that display nanoclusters of ligands that bind both integrin and syndecan‐4 cell receptors. These surfaces regulate cell behaviors under static conditions including adhesion, spreading, actin stress fiber formation, and migration. The syndecan‐4 receptors are also critical mediators of cellular mechanotransduction. In this contribution we assess whether this novel class of materials can regulate the response of cells to applied mechanical stimulation, using the shear stress imparted by laminar fluid flow as a model stimulus. Specifically, we assess endothelial cell detachment due to flow, cell alignment due to flow, and cell adhesion from the flowing fluid. A high degree of cell retention was observed on surfaces containing integrin‐binding ligands or a mixed population of integrin‐ and syndecan‐binding ligands. However, the presence of both ligand types was necessary for the cells to align in the direction of flow. These results imply that integrin engagement is necessary for adhesion strength, but engagement of both receptor types aids in appropriate mechanotransduction. Additionally, it was found that surfaces functionalized with both ligand types were able to scavenge a larger number of cells from flow, and to do so at a faster rate, compared to surfaces functionalized with only integrin‐ or syndecan‐binding ligands. These results show that interfaces functionalized with both integrin‐ and syndecan‐binding ligands regulate a significant range of biophysical cell behaviors in response to shear stress.