Biomaterial surface patterning of self-assembled monolayers for controlling neuronal cell behaviour

Abstract

Control of the position, growth and subsequent function of living cells is a fundamental problem in tissue and cellular engineering. The development of a generation of ‘smart’ biomaterial substrates requires strict control over the material’s surface properties, because the initial response of the cultured cells to the biomaterials mainly depends upon the surface characteristics of the engineered material. Since most of the cells in the body are arranged in distinct patterns during development, it would be beneficial if one could create patterned environments in-vitro for regulating cell behavior, for applications in vivo, in particular for CNS neurons. Accordingly, in this article, we provide design strategies and methodologies developed for nano- and micro-scale surface patterning and the subsequent control of cellular responses in-vitro.

Efficient alignment of primary CNS neurites using structurally engineered surfaces and biochemical cues

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Patterned surfaces can be engineered to provide physical guidance for cell elongation or process orientation. Weiss rst described this phenomenon as 'contact guidance'.…”

Engineered In Vitro Feed-Forward Networks

“…Our laboratory routinely uses self-assembled monolayers to modify and pattern glass surfaces for cell culture applications [8,27,[29][30][31][32]. XPS is a surface characterization technique used to assess the quality of a DETA/13F modified surface.…”

“…Over the last 20 years, a number of methods have been developed to confine the architecture of cultured neuronal networks including microfluidics [1], topographical cues [2,3], microstamping [4], collagen [5], organosilanes [6][7][8][9][10][11], or alkanethiols [12]. Geometric patterns created include simple lines [13], 4 nodes [14][15][16][17] and 8 node interconnected grids [14], loops [18], and even crude logic devices [19].…”

Spontaneous patterning obtained by evaporation of Human Elastin-like Polypeptide solutions

“…Growth and metabolism of cells, together with their differentiation state are highly influenced by the multitude of signals present in the environment that they came into contact and that they can sense [1]. Thus, control of growth and functionality of cells is a key issue in the development of applications ranging from tissue engineering to cellular biosensors [2], [3]. C A broad variety of synthetic materials has been employed to fabricate polymeric supports to sustain and control cell adhesion and proliferation [4], [5], [6].…”

“…However, materials derived from these compounds often show many drawbacks, like nonappropriate chemical composition, unnatural spatial organization, release of material particles, and often do not possess the necessary specific requirements for cell growth, proliferation and maintenance of the normal phenotype and function. Since it has been recognized that not only the surface chemistry of the substrate but also its topographic features can affect cell behavior surface engineering and modification have been shown to improve, to a variable extent, the biological performance of these materials [3], [7], [8], [9]. In particular, most popular approaches for surface controlled modification as, for example, photo-and softlithography, self-assembling monolayers, microcontact printing and more others, often require the use of synthetic polymers.…”