TiO₂ Nanorod Arrays with Mesoscopic Micro–Nano Interfaces for in Situ Regulation of Cell Morphology and Nucleus Deformation

Abstract

Cell morphology and nucleus deformation are important when circulating tumor cells break away from the primary tumor and migrate to a distant organ. Cells are sensitive to the microenvironment and respond to the cell-material interfaces. We fabricated TiO nanorod arrays with mesoscopic micro-nano interfaces through a two-step hydrothermal reaction method to induce severe changes in cell morphology and nucleus deformation. The average size of the microscale voids was increased from 5.1 to 10.5 μm when the hydrothermal etching time was increased from 3 to 10 h, whereas the average distances between voids were decreased from 0.88 to 0.40 μm. The nucleus of the MCF-7 cells on the TiO nanorod substrate that was etched for 10 h exhibited a significant deformation, because of the large size of the voids and the small distance between voids. Nucleus defromation was reversible during the cells proliferate process when the cells were cultured on the mesoscopic micro-nano interface.This reversible process was regulated by combining of the uniform pressure applied by the actin cap and the localized pressure applied by the actin underneath the nucleus. Cell morphology and nucleus shape interacted with each other to adapt to the microenvironment. This mesoscopic micro-nano interface provided a new insight into the cell-biomaterial interface to investigate cell behaviors.

Electrochemical Deposited Calcium Phosphate Nanomaterials with Micro‐Nano Interface for Capture and Non‐Invasive Release of Cancer Cells

“…Importantly, these micro‐nano‐sized interfaces were fabricated by one‐step electrochemical deposition, which was easier than the two‐step hydrothermal reaction method. [ 23 ] The cross section of CaP‐1 and CaP‐2 were shown in Figure 2c,f. Results indicated that the thickness of CaP films was increased from 3 to 12 µm when the electrochemical time was increased from 2.5 to 10 min.…”

“…These results were similar to the cancer cells morphology on the micro‐nano TiO 2 bio‐interfaces. [ 23 ] On the micro‐nano interfaces, more pseudopodia can be found on the structural skeleton (Figure 3f), that is, the cancer cells needed more pseudopodia to capture the CaP nanosheets to support the HepG2 cell weight. The analogous interaction between HepG2 cells and CaP substrates can offer more chance for target cells, which induced higher HepG2 cells capture efficiency.…”

On the Interaction between 1D Materials and Living Cells

“…The effects of the TiO 2 biointerface on the mechanics-induced cell membrane deformation has been thoroughly investigated by Liu et al [ 88 ] They showed that TiO 2 NRs, produced by a two-step hydrothermal approach, modified the cell morphology and the nuclear shape of MCF-7 cells. In particular, the etching time during the hydrothermal synthesis tuned the size of the voids between TiO 2 NRs.…”

“…The higher the etching time, the larger the spaces between the NRs. The resulting voids induced a reversible mechanical deformation of the nuclei, regulating the pressure exerted by actin under the nucleus [ 88 ]. Similarly, Peng et al [ 89 ] observed an increased C3H10T1/2 cell adhesion along with reduced adhesion and colonization of Staphylococcus epidermidis (i.e., a pathogen associated with orthopaedic infections) in comparison with Ti surfaces.…”

Effect of Organic Additives during Hydrothermal Syntheses of Rutile TiO2 Nanorods for Photocatalytic Applications

“…UV-photodetector, resistive switching memory devices, and capacitors based on the TiO 2 nanorod array have been developed. The TiO 2 nanorod array has been utilized for application as a platform for photoelectrochemical bioanalysis and capture of tumor cells. − …”