Effects of Engineered Surface on Cell Guidance and Motility

Abstract

Cell migration is known to play an important role in biological processes such as cancer cell metastasis. The migration of adherent cells on structured surface is known to be influenced by its surface topography. However, effect of printed surface patterns on cell migration directionality is still not well understood. In this study, engineered Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates were developed for cell culture. Three different patterns including dots, gratings and semicircles were fabricated on Silicon wafer and replicated in PDMS substrates. The PDMS platforms were exposed to O2 plasma to form hydrophilic surface. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on the platforms, and results from cells on different patterns were compared. Gratings and dots were widely used in the study of cell migration. In this experiment semicircle pattern was specifically designed based on previous studies. Results show that semicircle pattern can provide good guidance in migration axis and enhance cell mobility. It helps to maintain much better direction persistence compared with gratings. This result indicates that cell migration direction can be controlled by designed patterns. Further studies will be carried out to identify critical factors that influence cell migration. New patterns will be designed to provide better control in cell migration direction.