Microconical silicon structures influence NGF‐induced PC12 cell morphology

Abstract

Micro-and nanofabrication techniques provide the opportunity to develop new types of cell culture platform, where the effect of various topographical cues on cellular functions such as proliferation and differentiation can be studied. In this study, PC12 cells were cultured on patterned silicon (Si) surfaces comprising arrays of microcones (MCs) exhibiting different geometrical characteristics and surface chemistries. It was illustrated that, in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF), PC12 cells increased proliferation on all types of patterned surface, as compared to flat Si surfaces. However, in the presence of NGF, PC12 cells showed different responses, depending on the plating surface. Unlike low and intermediate rough MC surfaces, highly rough ones exhibiting large distances between MCs did not support PC12 cell differentiation, independently of the MCs' chemical coatings. These results suggest that the geometrical characteristics of MCs alone can influence specific cellular functions. Tailoring of the physical properties of arrays of Si MCs in order to identify which combinations of MC topologies and spatially defined chemistries are capable of driving specific cellular responses is envisaged.

Laser fabricated discontinuous anisotropic microconical substrates as a new model scaffold to control the directionality of neuronal network outgrowth

“…Although MC roughness increase was correlated with surface hydrophobicity [32], thermal treatment and/or subsequent protein coating rendered micropatterned surfaces superhydrophilic, while preserving the initial roughness [12]. Therefore, surface topography was the sole variable parameter in the biological system studied here.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that microstructrured Si substrates could support growth and differentiation of PC12 cells, which represent a neuronal cell model terminally differentiating into neuron-like cells upon stimulation with nerve growth factor [12]. In order to evaluate whether such technology could support the growth of a neuron-glial network simulating the natural environment of peripheral nervous system development, primary Schwann cells, superior cervical ganglia and dorsal root ganglia were applied to the micropatterned Si substrates.…”

“…The laser fluence used in these experiments was in the range 0.68e1.50 J/cm 2 . After laser irradiation, micro-structured surfaces were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as previously described [12]. SEM analysis was performed on a JEOL 7000 field emission scanning electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of 15 kV.…”

Implantable vaccine development using in vitro antigen-pulsed macrophages absorbed on laser micro-structured Si scaffolds

“…The implantable scaffolds used herein consisted of 3-dimension (3D) micropatterned silicon (Si)-based substrates with tunable morphology and chemistry, which have been successfully used in vitro for fibroblast and nerve cell growth [2][3][4] and are preferred versus 2D surfaces because they provide more usable area and adhesion points for cell growth [5,6] considered hard, non-biodegradable material was essential in order to avoid any side effects of degradable bio-products. In the present work, 3D micro and submicron texturing of Si surfaces were produced by ultrafast lasers [2], which provide reproducible patterned areas with controlled hydrophilicity, while providing the opportunity for chemical modifications.…”

3D Microporous Scaffolds Manufactured via Combination of Fused Filament Fabrication and Direct Laser Writing Ablation

“…Their size has a very important impact on cell behavior; however, there is a dual relationship between them [58]. There has been reports that cells grown on micro-roughened surfaces were stimulated towards differentiation [59]. Increased surface area, provided by small pores, may have a beneficial effect on cell adhesion.…”