Harnessing nanotopography and integrin–matrix interactions to influence stem cell fate

Abstract

Stem cells respond to nanoscale surface features, with changes in cell growth and differentiation mediated by alterations in cell adhesion. The interaction of nanotopographical features with integrin receptors in the cells' focal adhesions alters how the cells adhere to materials surfaces, and defines cell fate through changes in both cell biochemistry and cell morphology. In this Review, we discuss how cell adhesions interact with nanotopography, and we provide insight as to how materials scientists can exploit these interactions to direct stem cell fate and to understand how the behaviour of stem cells in their niche can be controlled. We expect knowledge gained from the study of cell-nanotopography interactions to accelerate the development of next-generation stem cell culture materials and implant interfaces, and to fuel discovery of stem cell therapeutics to support regenerative therapies.

Skeletal stem cell and bone implant interactions are enhanced by LASER titanium modification

“…Alteration in cell morphology as a consequence of cytoskeletal tension has an indirect effect on mechano-transduction pathways, as demonstrated by expression changes in stem cell responses [14,29]. In the current studies cytoskeletal rearrangement were observed, including altered expression patterns of vinculin, a key structural component of focal adhesions [30].…”

“…It is clear that an exquisite interplay exists between the cells and the microtexture of a material. In vivo, cells encounter a number of topographical features ranging from protein folding to collagen banding [14]. Due to the ease of manufacture, the development of materials with a range of surface roughness has been widely used to further examine the bone material interface.…”

“…We have previously reported that changes in cytoskeletal tension in response to topography may modify interphase nucleus organisation and hence directly influence cell gene expression profiles [14,31]. The pattern of five specific osteogenic markers, RUNX2, ALP 6 , COL1A1, OPN and OCN and, the chondrogenic marker SOX9, in primary hSSCs 1 cells cultured on LASER Ti surfaces were compared with machined Ti surface substrates.…”

Mechanotransduction and Growth Factor Signalling to Engineer Cellular Microenvironments

“…[74,75] On the other end of the size scale, surface nano-and microtopography influence size and shape of cell-matrix adhesion points and thus also play an important role in cell mechanotransduction, as well as in stem cell self-renewal and multipotency. [76][77][78][79][80][81][82] There are excellent reviews on the effect of nanotopography on (stem) cells. [81,83] …”

“…[76][77][78][79][80][81][82] There are excellent reviews on the effect of nanotopography on (stem) cells. [81,83] …”