Role of Surface Chemistry in Protein Remodeling at the Cell-Material Interface

Abstract

BackgroundThe cell-material interaction is a complex bi-directional and dynamic process that mimics to a certain extent the natural interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix. Cells tend to adhere and rearrange adsorbed extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the material surface in a fibril-like pattern. Afterwards, the ECM undergoes proteolytic degradation, which is a mechanism for the removal of the excess ECM usually approximated with remodeling. ECM remodeling is a dynamic process that consists of two opposite events: assembly and degradation.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis work investigates matrix protein dynamics on mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of –OH and –CH3 terminated alkanethiols. SAMs assembled on gold are highly ordered organic surfaces able to provide different chemical functionalities and well-controlled surface properties. Fibronectin (FN) was adsorbed on the different surfaces and quantified in terms of the adsorbed surface density, distribution and conformation. Initial cell adhesion and signaling on FN-coated SAMs were characterized via the formation of focal adhesions, integrin expression and phosphorylation of FAKs. Afterwards, the reorganization and secretion of FN was assessed. Finally, matrix degradation was followed via the expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 and correlated with Runx2 levels. We show that matrix degradation at the cell material interface depends on surface chemistry in MMP-dependent way.Conclusions/SignificanceThis work provides a broad overview of matrix remodeling at the cell-material interface, establishing correlations between surface chemistry, FN adsorption, cell adhesion and signaling, matrix reorganization and degradation. The reported findings improve our understanding of the role of surface chemistry as a key parameter in the design of new biomaterials. It demonstrates the ability of surface chemistry to direct proteolytic routes at the cell-material interface, which gains a distinct bioengineering interest as a new tool to trigger matrix degradation in different biomedical applications.

Topographic cell instructive patterns to control cell adhesion, polarization and migration

“…Furthermore, we noted that the hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics of the surface alter FA maturation. In fact, as reported by Llopis-Hernández et al [27], FA formation is enhanced on more hydrophilic surfaces, because there is an increased availability of binding domains of the physisorbed protein layer. Indeed, we found that on oxygen PT surfaces FAs are longer and wider and can reach a length of up to 13 mm (figure 8f ).…”

In vitro osteoinduction of human mesenchymal stem cells in biomimetic surface modified titanium alloy implants

“…This increased area in the surface modified titanium discs could be coupled to a higher protein adsorption coming from the serum of the cell culture medium. Protein adsorption and matrix remodelling at the cell-material interface has been previously described as a potent cell adhesion inductor 44) . Other previous works are also in concordance with our adhesion and proliferation results 28,45) .…”

Preferential adsorption of cell adhesive proteins from complex media on self-assembled monolayers and its effect on subsequent cell adhesion

“…Role of Fn and Vn in cell adhesion on material surfaces has been extensively studied using polymer substrates [11][12][13][14][15][16] and SAMs [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Pretreatment of artificial materials with a solution containing either Fn only or Vn only improves http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2015.08.033 1742-7061/Ó 2015 Acta Materialia Inc.…”