Open AccessGuiding cell adhesion and motility by modulating cross-linking and topographic properties of microgel arrays
Author(s) -
Janine Riegert,
Alexander Töpel,
Jana Schieren,
Renee Coryn,
Stella Dibenedetto,
Dominik L. Braunmiller,
Kamil K Zajt,
Carmen Schalla,
Stephan Rütten,
Martin Zenke,
Andrij Pich,
Antonio Sechi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0257495
Subject(s) - adhesion , focal adhesion , motility , cell adhesion , biophysics , cytoskeleton , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , microtubule , cell migration , chemistry , nanotechnology , cell , biology , biochemistry , composite material
Biomaterial-driven modulation of cell adhesion and migration is a challenging aspect of tissue engineering. Here, we investigated the impact of surface-bound microgel arrays with variable geometry and adjustable cross-linking properties on cell adhesion and migration. We show that cell migration is inversely correlated with microgel array spacing, whereas directionality increases as array spacing increases. Focal adhesion dynamics is also modulated by microgel topography resulting in less dynamic focal adhesions on surface-bound microgels. Microgels also modulate the motility and adhesion of Sertoli cells used as a model for cell migration and adhesion. Both focal adhesion dynamics and speed are reduced on microgels. Interestingly, Gas2L1, a component of the cytoskeleton that mediates the interaction between microtubules and microfilaments, is dispensable for the regulation of cell adhesion and migration on microgels. Finally, increasing microgel cross-linking causes a clear reduction of focal adhesion turnover in Sertoli cells. These findings not only show that spacing and rigidity of surface-grafted microgels arrays can be effectively used to modulate cell adhesion and motility of diverse cellular systems, but they also form the basis for future developments in the fields of medicine and tissue engineering.