Cell alignment using patterned biocompatible gold nanoparticle templates

Abstract

Biocompatible structures are produced for cellular patterning. The biocompatible surfaces are generated to provide protein nonfouling patterns, offering direct communication to the cells for controlling cell adhesion and proliferation. These biofunctional surfaces provide a platform for aligning the cells in the direction of patterns, indicating potential application in the field of tissue engineering.

Figure 1

a) Monolayer structures of 2 nm core diameter gold nanoparticles used in this study, b) the increase in thickness after protein adsorption onto the surfaces using ellipsometer, inset in 1b is an enlargement of Figure 1b, showing the adsorbed protein thickness onto NP-based surfaces c) patterned PEI surface for cell culture, d) AFM image of a patterned PEI surface, e) AFM image of a patterned PEI surface after NP3 immobilization, and f) change in the Z-height after immobilization of NPs onto PEI surface.

Figure 2

Fluorescent micrographs of the cells stained with calcein AM (3µM) and propidium iodide (3µM) on surfaces; Cells on NPs coated surfaces (a) NP1, (b) NP2, (c) NP3, (d) PEI, and (e) Relative percentage cell viabilities of fibroblast cells on the surfaces. Scale bars: 100µm.

Figure 3

Fluorescent micrographs of the cells on surfaces. a) non-patterned NP3 surface, b) patterned NP3 surface, c) patterned PEI surface, and d) cell alignments on these surfaces. Scale bars: 20µm.