Cell growth as a sheet on three-dimensional sharp-tip nanostructures

Chang Hwan Choi, Sepideh Heydarkhan-Hagvall, Benjamin M. Wu, James C.Y. Dunn, Ramin E. Beygui, Chang Jin Cjkim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cells in vivo encounter with and react to the extracellular matrix materials on a nanometer scale. Recent advances in nanofabrication technologies allowing the precise control of a nanostructure's pattern, periodicity, shape, and height have enabled a systematic study of cell interactions with three-dimensional nanotopographies. In this report, we examined the behavior of human foreskin fibroblasts on well-ordered dense arrays (post and grate patterns with a 230-nm pitch) of sharp-tip nanostructures with varying three-dimensionalities (from 50 to 600 nm in structural height) over time-until a cell sheet was formed. Although cells started out smaller and proliferated slower on tall nanostructures (both posts and grates) than on smooth surfaces, they became confluent to form a sheet in 3 weeks. On grate patterns, significant cell elongation in alignment with the underlying pattern was observed and maintained over time. On tall nanostructures, cells grew while raised on sharp tips, resulting in a weak total adherence to the solid surface. A sheet of cells was easily peeled off from such surfaces, suggesting that nanoscale topographies can be used as the basis for cell-sheet tissue engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)804-817
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A
Volume89
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Cell attachment/ detachment
  • Cell morphology
  • Cell proliferation
  • Cell sheet
  • Nanotopography

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