Facile modulation of cell adhesion to a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate film with incorporation of polystyrene nano-spheres

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is a common hydrogel that has been actively investigated for various tissue engineering applications owing to its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. However, the native PEGDA films are known for their bio-inertness which can hinder cell adhesion, thereby limiting their applications in tissue engineering and biomedicine. Recently, nano composite technology has become a particularly hot topic, and has led to the development of new methods for delivering desired properties to nanomaterials. In this study, we added polystyrene nanospheres (PS) into a PEGDA solution to synthesize a nanocomposite film and evaluated its characteristics. The experimental results showed that addition of the nanospheres to the PEGDA film not only resulted in modification of the mechanical properties and surface morphology but further improved the adhesion of cells on the film. The tensile modulus showed clear dependence on the addition of PS, which enhanced the mechanical properties of the PEGDA-PS film. We attribute the high stiffness of the hybrid hydrogel to the formation of additional cross-links between polymeric chains and the nanosphere surface in the network. The effect of PS on cell adhesion and proliferation was evaluated in L929 mouse fibroblast cells that were seeded on the surface of various PEGDA-PS films.Cells density increased with a larger PS concentration, and the cells displayed a spreading morphology on the hybrid films, which promoted cell proliferation. Impressively, cellular stiffness could also be modulated simply by tuning the concentration of nano-spheres. Our results indicate that the addition of PS can effectively tailor the physical and biological properties of PEGDA as well as the mechanical properties of cells, with benefits for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Recent advance in surface modification for regulating cell adhesion and behaviors

“…Surface roughness is an important factor affecting cell adhesion behavior [23][24][25]. Some early studies have found that surface roughness may affect cell adhesion behavior regardless of the cell type and matrix materials ( Figure 1).…”

Biodegradable and Electrically Conductive Melanin‐Poly (3‐Hydroxybutyrate) 3D Fibrous Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering Applications

“…[ 11,93–95 ] Indeed, surface modifications that increase the nanoscale roughness of electrospun fibers have been reported to improve cell attachment, differentiation and proliferation regardless of cell type. [ 84,89,96 ] A recent study also showed how melanin‐based electroactive and antioxidant silk‐fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds displayed neuroprotective properties, and improved cell proliferation and differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. [ 23 ] Taken together, our data suggests the suitability and potential advantages of melanin‐PHB scaffold as a brain‐tissue‐like biomaterial, which could be deployed to repair damaged neural tissue and support the regrowth of severed nerves.…”

Impact of Microwave Heat Treatment on the Dehydration Kinetics and Properties of Gelatin Membranes

“…Overall, the surface roughness of these membranes fell in a macroscopic range. Previous studies demonstrated the effect of surface roughness on cellular adhesion regardless of the cell types [6,28,29]. Increased adhesion of fibroblast cells was observed on the surface of polymeric biomaterial with macroscopic irregularities, as these cells were able to spread and grow on the surface [4].…”