Disrupted Surfaces of Porous Membranes Reduce Nuclear YAP Localization and Enhance Adipogenesis through Morphological Changes

Abstract

Downstream effects of cell-substrate interactions due to porous membranes are not fully understood. Consistent with previous studies using other types of discontinuous or disrupted substrates, we show adipose-derived stromal cells cultured on porous membranes have reduced spreading and nuclear YAP localization as well as an increased propensity towards adipogenesis.

Effects of Oxygen Plasma Treatment on Parylene C and Parylene N Membrane Biocompatibility for Tissue Barrier Models

“…In barrier models, porous membranes serve as interfaces to establish a compartmentalized co-culture system between endothelial cells and another relevant cell type [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] . The two cell types are often grown on different sides of the membrane, and membrane pores facilitate paracrine signaling and direct physical contact 15,20 . Polymeric track-etched membranes are usually embedded in versatile culture inserts such as Transwell® systems, and they are available with various pore sizes and porosities 2,15 .…”

“…Despite these advances, almost all ultrathin and conventional membranes are made of synthetic materials with physical, chemical, and biological properties different from their biological analogs 2,12,14 . Remedies that compensate for this difference include membrane preincubation with cell culture media, extracellular matrix (ECM) coating, and plasma treatment 2,13,15,20,21 . Plasma treatment can be a more reproducible and effective method compared to other techniques to improve the biocompatibility of porous membranes [22][23][24] .…”

“…Ultrathin nanomembranes often allow live imaging thanks to their optical transparency, allow effective cell-cell crosstalk due to thinness, and have higher porosities than their conventional membrane counterparts 15,20,21 . Despite these advances, almost all ultrathin and conventional membranes are made of synthetic materials with physical, chemical, and biological properties different from their biological analogs 2,12,14 .…”