On the Interaction of Adherent Cells with Thermoresponsive Polymer Coatings

Abstract

Thermoresponsive polymer coatings allow the control of adhesion of cells on synthetic substrates. In particular, decreasing the temperature below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymer triggers the non-invasive detachment of cells from their cultivation substrate. Widening the range of applications of these coatings in cellular biotechnology requires a better understanding of their interaction with cells. By monitoring the morphological changes of cells during their detachment at various temperatures, we provide evidence that cell detachment is an active process. Analyses of cell residues that are left behind by the cells on the substrate during their detachment, further support this notion. In the second part of this work, we show that the kinetics of adhesion and the efficiency of detachment of cells can be controlled through the coadsorption of molecules bearing the peptide motif RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) with the polymers.

Expansion of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) using a two-phase liquid/liquid system

“…enzymes, chelators), magnetic or even stimuli‐responsive (e.g. thermo‐responsive, pH‐responsive, electro‐responsive, photo‐responsive).…”

Thin Poly(Di(Ethylene Glycol)Methyl Ether Methacrylate) Homopolymer Brushes Allow Controlled Adsorption and Desorption of PaTu 8988t Cells

“…For PNIPAM it was shown that the extracellular matrix (ECM) was lifted off the surface by lowering the medium temperature, which rendered the surface protein repellent . By contrast, for brushes of poly‐2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate‐ co ‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (poly(MEO 2 MA‐ co ‐OEGMA)) residual material was found on the surface after a temperature‐induced cell (sheet) release …”

“…[13,14] By contrast, for brushes of poly-2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (poly (MEO 2 MA-co-OEGMA)) residual material was found on the surface after a temperature-induced cell (sheet) release. [15,16] The thermal trigger, which complements light, electric field, and pH changes as other known triggers of stimulus responsive polymers, is particularly interesting as a mild method in cell culture to control cell adhesion and detachment from biointerfaces. [17][18][19][20] The possibility to manipulate cells in culture without the use of enzymes is important for experiments in which downstream processes deal with surface proteins or cell-cell and cellmatrix connections.…”

Tunable Luminescent Carbon Nanospheres with Well-Defined Nanoscale Chemistry for Synchronized Imaging and Therapy

“…Whereas the MA‐PEG‐LCNs were distributed all over the cells (Figure A, B), the TR‐LCNs showed selective localization surrounding and inside the cells. It has been reported before that thermoresponsive polymers are inclined to interact with the cell surface more selectively than others and is also found to mediate better cell internalizaton . Another possibility for this difference in distribution could be the bulkier MA‐PEG, which participates in extensive H‐bonding (due to the presence of hydroxyl moieties) in the cellular environment.…”