Focal complex maturation and bridging on 200 nm vitronectin but not fibronectin patches reveal different mechanisms of focal adhesion formation

Smart Biointerfaces via Click Chemistry-Enabled Nanopatterning of Multiple Bioligands and DNA Force Sensors

Nanoscale biomolecular placement is crucial for advancing cellular signaling, sensor technology, and molecular interaction studies. Despite this, current methods fall short in enabling large-area nanopatterning of multiple biomolecules while minimizing nonspecific interactions. Using bioorthogonal tags at a submicron scale, we introduce a novel hole-mask colloidal lithography method for arranging up to three distinct proteins, DNA, or peptides on large, fully passivated surfaces. The surfaces are compatible with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and microplate formats, facilitating versatile applications in cellular and single-molecule assays. We utilize fully passivated and transparent substrates devoid of metals and nanotopographical features to ensure accurate patterning and minimize nonspecific interactions. Surface patterning is achieved using bioorthogonal TCO-tetrazine (inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder, IEDDA) ligation, DBCO-azide (strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition, SPAAC) click chemistry, and biotin-avidin interactions. These are arranged on surfaces passivated with dense poly(ethylene glycol) PEG brushes crafted through the selective and stepwise removal of sacrificial metallic and polymeric layers, enabling the directed attachment of biospecific tags with nanometric precision. In a proof-of-concept experiment, DNA tension gauge tether (TGT) force sensors, conjugated to cRGD (arginylglycylaspartic acid) in nanoclusters, measured fibroblast integrin tension. This novel application enables the quantification of forces in the piconewton range, which is restricted within the nanopatterned clusters. A second demonstration of the platform to study integrin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) proximal signaling reveals clear mechanotransduction and changes in the cellular morphology. The findings illustrate the platform's potential as a powerful tool for probing complex biochemical pathways involving several molecules arranged with nanometer precision and cellular interactions at the nanoscale.

Protein ligand and nanotopography separately drive the phenotype of mouse embryonic stem cells

Biochemical and biomechanical signals regulate stem cell function in the niche environments in vivo. Current in vitro culture of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) uses laminin (LN-511) to provide mimetic biochemical signaling (LN-521 for human systems) to maintain stemness. Alternative approaches propose topographical cues to provide biomechanical cues, however combined biochemical and topographic cues may better mimic the in vivo environment, but are largely unexplored for in vitro stem cell expansion. In this study, we directly compare in vitro signals from LN-511 and/or topographic cues to maintain stemness, using systematically-varied submicron pillar patterns or flat surfaces with or without preadsorbed LN-511. The adhesion of cells, colony formation, expression of the pluripotency marker,octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), and transcriptome profiling were characterized. We observed that either biochemical or topographic signals could maintain stemness of mESCs in feeder-free conditions, indicated by high-level Oct4 and gene profiling by RNAseq. The combination of LN-511 with nanotopography reduced colony growth, while maintaining stemness markers, shifted the cellular phenotype indicating that the integration of biochemical and topographic signals is antagonistic. Overall, significantly faster (up to 2.5 times) colony growth was observed at nanotopographies without LN-511, suggesting for improved ESC expansion.

Manganese supplementation of orthopedic implants: a new strategy for enhancing integrin-mediated cellular responses

Integrin-mediated osteoblast adhesion to adsorbed extracellular ligands on orthopedic implants is crucial for the subsequent osteoblast behaviors and ultimate osseointegration. Considerable research efforts have focused on the development of implant surfaces that promote the adsorption of extracellular ligands, but ignored the fact that integrin binding to ligands requires divalent cations (such as Mn²⁺). Here, three kinds of Mn-doped nanowire-structured TiO₂ coatings with 1.9, 3.9, and 8.8 wt% dopant contents (Mn1-, Mn2-, and Mn3-TiO₂) were synthesized on Ti implants to enhance integrin-mediated osteoblastic responses. The Mg-doped and undoped TiO₂ nanocoatings served as the control. Mn element was not only successfully incorporated into the TiO₂ matrix, but also formed an oxygen-deficient Mn oxide on the nanowire surface. Although the adsorbed fibronectin (Fn) amount on Mn-doped nanocoatings and its unfolded status were slightly attenuated with increasing Mn amount, the interaction between the coating extract and Fn demonstrated a Mn²⁺-induced unfolding of Fn with the exposure of the RGD motif. Compared to the Mn1-, Mn2- and Mg-doped TiO₂ nanocoatings, the Mn3-TiO₂ nanocoating significantly upregulated the expression of integrin α5β1 probably through increasing the ligand-binding affinity of the integrin rather than integrin binding sites in Fn. Consistent with the activation trend of integrin α5β1, the Mn3-TiO₂ nanocoating enhanced cell adhesion with the long stretched structure of actin fibers and extensive formation of vinculin focal adhesion spots and upregulated the levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin activities. Therefore, Mn supplementation of orthopedic implants may be a promising way to improve osteogenesis at the implant surface.

The Role of Nanoscale Distribution of Fibronectin in the Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus Studied by Protein Patterning and DNA-PAINT

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread and highly virulent pathogen that can cause superficial and invasive infections. Interactions between S. aureus surface receptors and the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin mediate the bacterial invasion of host cells and is implicated in the colonization of medical implant surfaces. In this study, we investigate the role of distribution of both fibronectin and cellular receptors on the adhesion of S. aureus to interfaces as a model for primary adhesion at tissue interfaces or biomaterials. We present fibronectin in patches of systematically varied size (100-1000 nm) in a background of protein and bacteria rejecting chemistry based on PLL-g-PEG and studied S. aureus adhesion under flow. We developed a single molecule imaging assay for localizing fibronectin binding receptors on the surface of S. aureus via the super-resolution DNA points accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (DNA-PAINT) technique. Our results indicate that S. aureus adhesion to fibronectin biointerfaces is regulated by the size of available ligand patterns, with an adhesion threshold of 300 nm and larger. DNA-PAINT was used to visualize fibronectin binding receptor organization in situ at ∼7 nm localization precision and with a surface density of 38-46 μm^-2, revealing that the engagement of two or more receptors is required for strong S. aureus adhesion to fibronectin biointerfaces.

Nanoscale geometry determines mechanical biocompatibility of vertically aligned nanofibers

Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) are promising material candidates for neural biosensors due to their ability to detect neurotransmitters in physiological concentrations. However, the expected high rigidity of CNFs could induce mechanical mismatch with the brain tissue, eliciting formation of a glial scar around the electrode and thus loss of functionality. We have evaluated mechanical biocompatibility of VACNFs by growing nickel-catalyzed carbon nanofibers of different lengths and inter-fiber distances. Long nanofibers with large inter-fiber distance prevented maturation of focal adhesions, thus constraining cells from obtaining a highly spread morphology that is observed when astrocytes are being contacted with stiff materials commonly used in neural implants. A silicon nanopillar array with 500 nm inter-pillar distance was used to reveal that this inhibition of focal adhesion maturation occurs due to the surface nanoscale geometry, more precisely the inter-fiber distance. Live cell atomic force microscopy was used to confirm astrocytes being significantly softer on the long Ni-CNFs compared to other surfaces, including a soft gelatin hydrogel. We also observed hippocampal neurons to mature and form synaptic contacts when being cultured on both long and short carbon nanofibers, without having to use any adhesive proteins or a glial monoculture, indicating high cytocompatibility of the material also with neuronal population. In contrast, neurons cultured on a planar tetrahedral amorphous carbon sample showed immature neurites and indications of early-stage apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that mechanical biocompatibility of biomaterials is greatly affected by their nanoscale surface geometry, which provides means for controlling how the materials and their mechanical properties are perceived by the cells. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Our research article shows, how nanoscale surface geometry determines mechanical biocompatibility of apparently stiff materials. Specifically, astrocytes were prevented from obtaining highly spread morphology when their adhesion site maturation was inhibited, showing similar morphology on nominally stiff vertically aligned carbon fiber (VACNF) substrates as when being cultured on ultrasoft surfaces. Furthermore, hippocampal neurons matured well and formed synapses on these carbon nanofibers, indicating high biocompatibility of the materials. Interestingly, the same VACNF materials that were used in this study have earlier also been proven to be capable for electrophysiological recordings and sensing neurotransmitters at physiological concentrations with ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity, thus providing a platform for future neural probes or smart culturing surfaces with superior sensing performance and biocompatibility.

Protein Ligand Nanopattern Size Selects for Cellular Adhesion via Hemidesmosomes over Focal Adhesions

Hemidesmosomes (HDs) are multiprotein complexes that firmly anchor epidermal cells to the basement membrane of skin through the interconnection of the cytoplasmic intermediate filaments with extracellular laminin 332 (Ln332). Considerably less attention has been paid to HDs compared to focal complexes/focal adhesions (FC/FAs) in mechanistic single-cell structures due to the lack of suitable in vitro model systems. Here nanopatterns of Ln332 (100-1000 nm) are created to direct and study the formation of HD in adherent HaCaT cells. It is observed that HaCaT cells at Ln 332 nanopatterns adhere via hemidesmosomes, in stark contrast to cells at homogeneous Ln332 surfaces that adhere via FC/FAs. Clustering of α6 integrin is observed at nanopatterned Ln332 of 300 nm patches and larger. Cells at 500 nm diameter patterns show strong colocalization of α6 integrin with ColXVII or pan-cytokeratin compared to 300 nm/1000 nm indicating a threshold for HD initiation >100 nm but a pattern size selection for maturation of HDs. It is demonstrated that the pattern of Ln332 can determine the cellular selection of adhesion types with a size-dependent initiation and maturation of HDs. The protein nanopatterning approach that is presented provides a new in vitro route to study the role of HDs in cell signaling and function.

Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment: Review

The cornea comprises a pool of self-regenerating epithelial cells that are crucial to preserving clarity and visibility. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs), which live in a specialized stem cell niche (SCN), are crucial for the survival of the human corneal epithelium. They live at the bottom of the limbal crypts, in a physically enclosed microenvironment with a number of neighboring niche cells. Scientists also simplified features of these diverse microenvironments for more analysis in situ by designing and recreating features of different SCNs. Recent methods for regenerating the corneal epithelium after serious trauma, including burns and allergic assaults, focus mainly on regenerating the LESCs. Mesenchymal stem cells, which can transform into self-renewing and skeletal tissues, hold immense interest for tissue engineering and innovative medicinal exploration. This review summarizes all types of LESCs, identity and location of the human epithelial stem cells (HESCs), reconstruction of LSCN and artificial stem cells for self-renewal.

Quantitative Correlation of Nanotopography with Cell Spreading via Focal Adhesions Using Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Nanotopography mimicking extracellular environments reportedly impact cell morphological changes; however, elucidating this relationship has been challenging. To control cellular responses using nanostructures, in this study, the quantitative relationship between nanotopography and cell spreading mediated by focal adhesions (FAs) is demonstrated using adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). The spreading of ASCs and area of FAs are analyzed for the distribution of filamentous actin and vinculin, respectively, using fluorescent images. FAs require a specific area for adhesion (herein defined as effective contact area [ECA]) to maintain cell attachment on nanopillar arrays. An ECA is the area of FAs supported by nanopillars, multiplying the area fraction (AF) of their top surface. Regarding the spreading of cells, the mean area of ASCs linearly decreases as the mean area of FAs increases. Because the area of FAs is inversely correlated to the AF of the nanopillar arrays, the spreading of cells can be quantitatively correlated with nanotopography. The results provide a conceptual framework for controlling cell behaviors to design artificial substrates for tissue-engineering applications.

Designing stem cell niches for differentiation and self-renewal

Mesenchymal stem cells, characterized by their ability to differentiate into skeletal tissues and self-renew, hold great promise for both regenerative medicine and novel therapeutic discovery. However, their regenerative capacity is retained only when in contact with their specialized microenvironment, termed the stem cell niche Niches provide structural and functional cues that are both biochemical and biophysical, stem cells integrate this complex array of signals with intrinsic regulatory networks to meet physiological demands. Although, some of these regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood or difficult to harness with traditional culture systems. Biomaterial strategies are being developed that aim to recapitulate stem cell niches, by engineering microenvironments with physiological-like niche properties that aim to elucidate stem cell-regulatory mechanisms, and to harness their regenerative capacity in vitro In the future, engineered niches will prove important tools for both regenerative medicine and therapeutic discoveries.

Multifunctional Coatings and Nanotopographies: Toward Cell Instructive and Antibacterial Implants

In biomaterials science, it is nowadays well accepted that improving the biointegration of dental and orthopedic implants with surrounding tissues is a major goal. However, implant surfaces that support osteointegration may also favor colonization of bacterial cells. Infection of biomaterials and subsequent biofilm formation can have devastating effects and reduce patient quality of life, representing an emerging concern in healthcare. Conversely, efforts toward inhibiting bacterial colonization may impair biomaterial-tissue integration. Therefore, to improve the long-term success of medical implants, biomaterial surfaces should ideally discourage the attachment of bacteria without affecting eukaryotic cell functions. However, most current strategies seldom investigate a combined goal. This work reviews recent strategies of surface modification to simultaneously address implant biointegration while mitigating bacterial infections. To this end, two emerging solutions are considered, multifunctional chemical coatings and nanotopographical features.

Osteoblast response to disordered nanotopography

The ability to influence stem cell differentiation is highly desirable as it would help us improve clinical outcomes for patients in various aspects. Many different techniques to achieve this have previously been investigated. This concise study, however, has focused on the topography on which cells grow. Current uncemented orthopaedic implants can fail if the implant fails to bind to the surrounding bone and, typically, forms a soft tissue interface which reduces direct bone contact. Here, we look at the effect of a previously reported nanotopography that utilises nanodisorder to influence mesenchymal stromal cell (as may be found in the bone marrow) differentiation towards bone and to also exert this effect on mature osteoblasts (as may be found in the bone). As topography is a physical technique, it can be envisaged for use in a range of materials such as polymers and metals used in the manufacture of orthopaedic implants.

Towards the cell-instructive bactericidal substrate: exploring the combination of nanotopographical features and integrin selective synthetic ligands

Engineering the interface between biomaterials and tissues is important to increase implant lifetime and avoid failures and revision surgeries. Permanent devices should enhance attachment and differentiation of stem cells, responsible for injured tissue repair, and simultaneously discourage bacterial colonization; this represents a major challenge. To take first steps towards such a multifunctional surface we propose merging topographical and biochemical cues on the surface of a clinically relevant material such as titanium. In detail, our strategy combines antibacterial nanotopographical features with integrin selective synthetic ligands that can rescue the adhesive capacity of the surfaces and instruct mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) response. To this end, a smooth substrate and two different high aspect ratio topographies have been produced and coated either with an αvβ3-selective peptidomimetic, an α5β1-selective peptidomimetic, or an RGD/PHSRN peptidic molecule. Results showed that antibacterial effects of the substrates could be maintained when tested on pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, functionalization increased MSC adhesion to the surfaces and the αvβ3-selective peptidomimetic-coated nanotopographies promoted osteogenesis. Such a dual physicochemical approach to achieve multifunctional surfaces represents a first step in the design of novel cell-instructive biomaterial surfaces.

Vitronectin as a Micromanager of Cell Response in Material-Driven Fibronectin Nanonetworks

Surface functionalization strategies of synthetic materials for regenerative medicine applications comprise the development of microenvironments that recapitulate the physical and biochemical cues of physiological extracellular matrices. In this context, material-driven fibronectin (FN) nanonetworks obtained from the adsorption of the protein on poly(ethyl acrylate) provide a robust system to control cell behavior, particularly to enhance differentiation. This study aims at augmenting the complexity of these fibrillar matrices by introducing vitronectin, a lower-molecular-weight multifunctional glycoprotein and main adhesive component of serum. A cooperative effect during co-adsorption of the proteins is observed, as the addition of vitronectin leads to increased fibronectin adsorption, improved fibril formation, and enhanced vitronectin exposure. The mobility of the protein at the material interface increases, and this, in turn, facilitates the reorganization of the adsorbed FN by cells. Furthermore, the interplay between interface mobility and engagement of vitronectin receptors controls the level of cell fusion and the degree of cell differentiation. Ultimately, this work reveals that substrate-induced protein interfaces resulting from the cooperative adsorption of fibronectin and vitronectin fine-tune cell behavior, as vitronectin micromanages the local properties of the microenvironment and consequently short-term cell response to the protein interface and higher order cellular functions such as differentiation.

Current approaches for modulation of the nanoscale interface in the regulation of cell behavior

Regulation of cell behavior in response to nanoscale features has been the focus of much research in recent years and the successful generation of nanoscale features capable of mimicking the natural nanoscale interface has been of great interest in the field of biomaterials research. In this review, we discuss relevant nanofabrication techniques and how they are combined with bioengineering applications to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and create valuable nanoscale interfaces.

Differential integrin expression regulates cell sensing of the matrix nanoscale geometry

The nanoscale geometry and topography of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) is an important parameter controlling cell adhesion and phenotype. Similarly, integrin expression and the geometrical maturation of adhesions they regulate have been correlated with important changes in cell spreading and phenotype. However, how integrin expression controls the nanoscale sensing of the ECM geometry is not clearly understood. Here we develop a new nanopatterning technique, electrospun nanofiber lithography (ENL), which allows the production of a quasi-2D fibrous nanopattern with controlled dimensions (250-1000nm) and densities. ENL relies on electrospun fibres to act as a mask for the controlled growth of protein-resistant polymer brushes. SEM, AFM and immunofluorescence imaging were used to characterise the resulting patterns and the adsorption of the extra-cellular matrix protein fibronectin to the patterned fibres. The control of adhesion formation was studied, as well as the remodelling and deposition of novel matrix. Cell spreading was found to be regulated by the size of fibres, similarly to previous observations made on circular nanopatterns. However, cell shape and polarity were more significantly affected. These changes correlated with important cytoskeleton reorganisation, with a gradual decrease in stress fibre formation as the pattern dimensions decrease. Finally, the differential expression of αvβ3 and α5β1 integrins in engineered cell lines was found to be an important mediator of cell sensing of the nanoscale geometry of the ECM.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The novel nanofiber patterns developed in this study, via ENL, mimic the geometry and continuity of natural matrices found in the stroma of tissues, whilst preserving a quasi-2D character (to facilitate imaging and for comparison with other 2D systems such as micropatterned monolayers and circular nanopatches generated by colloidal lithography). These results demonstrate that the nanoscale geometry of the ECM plays an important role in regulating cell adhesion and that this is modulated by integrin expression. This is an important finding as it implies that the knowledge of the biochemical context underlying the integrin-mediated adhesive machinery of specific cell types should allow better design of biomaterials and biointerfaces. Indeed, changes in integrin expression are often associated with the control of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Dynamic Surfaces for the Study of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth through Adhesion Regulation

Out of their niche environment, adult stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), spontaneously differentiate. This makes both studying these important regenerative cells and growing large numbers of stem cells for clinical use challenging. Traditional cell culture techniques have fallen short of meeting this challenge, but materials science offers hope. In this study, we have used emerging rules of managing adhesion/cytoskeletal balance to prolong MSC cultures by fabricating controllable nanoscale cell interfaces using immobilized peptides that may be enzymatically activated to change their function. The surfaces can be altered (activated) at will to tip adhesion/cytoskeletal balance and initiate differentiation, hence better informing biological mechanisms of stem cell growth. Tools that are able to investigate the stem cell phenotype are important. While large phenotypical differences, such as the difference between an adipocyte and an osteoblast, are now better understood, the far more subtle differences between fibroblasts and MSCs are much harder to dissect. The development of technologies able to dynamically navigate small differences in adhesion are critical in the race to provide regenerative strategies using stem cells.

Nanopattern Gradients for Cell Studies Fabricated Using Hole-Mask Colloidal Lithography

Culturing cells on gradient nanopatterns provides a useful tool to explore cellular adhesion to mimics of the extracellular matrix or screen for cellular responses to nanopatterns. A method is presented to fabricate complex gradient protein patterns based on hole-mask colloidal lithography, which can generate nanopatterns in multiple materials and of multiple shapes. Gradients of gold structures were functionalized to form gradients of protein nanopatterns of different shapes (bars, dot pairs, and rings), where a key parameter was systematically varied in each gradient. Cells were grown on vitronectin nanopatterns, showing differential adhesion (spread area/focal adhesion size) along the gradients.

Podosome Formation and Development in Monocytes Restricted by the Nanoscale Spatial Distribution of ICAM1

We studied podosome formation and development in activated monocytes (THP1) at ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) nanopatterns of circular and ring-shaped domains and show that cellular binding to a preclustered ICAM1 nanopattern requires ligand patches of at least 200 nm (corresponding to 14 or more integrins). Podosome-like adhesion formation depends on the structure of the ligand pattern under the developing podosome with larger single domains promoting adhesion in a single patch and multiple smaller domains allowing podosome formation by integration of at least 2 smaller domains on either side of the podosome core. Maturation to rosette structures and recruitment of proteases were only observed with macroscopic ICAM1 presentation.

Cell sensing of physical properties at the nanoscale: Mechanisms and control of cell adhesion and phenotype

The chemistry, geometry, topography and mechanical properties of biomaterials modulate biochemical signals (in particular ligand-receptor binding events) that control cells-matrix interactions. In turn, the regulation of cell adhesion by the biochemical and physical properties of the matrix controls cell phenotypes such as proliferation, motility and differentiation. In particular, nanoscale geometrical, topographical and mechanical properties of biomaterials are essential to achieve control of the cell-biomaterials interface. The design of such nanoscale architectures and platforms requires understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying adhesion formation and the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. This review presents some of the important molecular mechanisms underlying cell adhesion to biomaterials mediated by integrins and discusses the nanoscale engineered platforms used to control these processes. Such nanoscale understanding of the cell-biomaterials interface offers exciting opportunities for the design of biomaterials and their application to the field of tissue engineering.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Biomaterials design is important in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, in particular to allow the long term expansion of stem cells and the engineering of scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Cell adhesion to biomaterials often plays a central role in regulating cell phenotype. It is emerging that physical properties of biomaterials, and more generally the microenvironment, regulate such behaviour. In particular, cells respond to nanoscale physical properties of their matrix. Understanding how such nanoscale physical properties control cell adhesion is therefore essential for biomaterials design. To this aim, a deeper understanding of molecular processes controlling cell adhesion, but also a greater control of matrix engineering is required. Such multidisciplinary approaches shed light on some of the fundamental mechanisms via which cell adhesions sense their nanoscale physical environment.

Versatile multiple protein nanopatterning within a microfluidic channel for cell recruitment studies

A novel approach combining self-assembly-based colloidal lithography and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micromolding to generate complex protein nanopatterns for studying the mechanisms of leukocyte extravasation within microchannels is presented. Nanostructured surfaces sealed onto PDMS-molded microchannels are chemically functionalized in situ in an all-aqueous process to generate bi-functional chemical nanopatterns. Subsequent co-immobilization with proteins makes use of common non-covalent coupling (e.g. HIS-tags, FC-tags and biotin-tags), giving nanopatterns of arbitrary combinations of oriented, functional proteins. Up to three different proteins were simultaneously co-immobilized into the microchannel with nanoscale precision, demonstrating the complex patterns. As a proof-of-principle, a mimic of an inflamed endothelium was constructed using a macro- and nanoscale pattern of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and P-selectin, and the response of leukocytes through live cell imaging was measured. A clear result on the rolling behavior of the cells was observed with rolling limited to areas where ICAM1 and P-selectin are present. This micro/nano-interface will open new doors to investigations of how spatial distributions of proteins control cellular activity.

Engineering nanoscale stem cell niche: direct stem cell behavior at cell-matrix interface

Biophysical cues on the extracellular matrix (ECM) have proven to be significant regulators of stem cell behavior and evolution. Understanding the interplay of these cells and their extracellular microenvironment is critical to future tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, both of which require a means of controlled differentiation. Research suggests that nanotopography, which mimics the local, nanoscale, topographic cues within the stem cell niche, could be a way to achieve large-scale proliferation and control of stem cells in vitro. This Progress Report reviews the history and contemporary advancements of this technology, and pays special attention to nanotopographic fabrication methods and the effect of different nanoscale patterns on stem cell response. Finally, it outlines potential intracellular mechanisms behind this response.

Differentiation of Normal and Cancer Cell Adhesion on Custom Designed Protein Nanopatterns

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is deregulated in metastasis. However, traditional surfaces used to study cell adhesion do not faithfully mimic the in vivo microenvironment. Electron beam lithography (EBL) is able to generate customized protein nanopatterns. Here, we used an EBL-based green lithography approach to fabricate homogeneous and gradient, single (fibronectin, K-casein) and double (fibronectin, laminin) active component protein nanopatterns with micrometer scale spacing to investigate differences in adhesion of breast cancer cells (BCC) and normal mammary epithelial cells (NMEC). Our results showed that as expected, in contrast to NMEC, BCC were plastic: they tolerated nonadhesion promoting regions, adapted to flow and exploited gradients better. In addition, the number of focal adhesions but not their area appeared to be the dominant parameter for regulation of cell adhesion. Our findings also demonstrated that custom designed protein nanopatterns, which can properly mimic the in vivo microenvironment, enable realistic distinction of normal and cancerous cell adhesion.

Revealing cytokine-induced changes in the extracellular matrix with secondary ion mass spectrometry

Cell-secreted matrices (CSMs), where extracellular matrix (ECM) deposited by monolayer cell cultures is decellularized, have been increasingly used to produce surfaces that may be reseeded with cells. Such surfaces are useful to help us understand cell-ECM interactions in a microenvironment closer to the in vivo situation than synthetic substrates with adsorbed proteins. We describe the production of CSMs from mouse primary osteoblasts (mPObs) exposed to cytokine challenge during matrix secretion, mimicking in vivo inflammatory environments. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry data revealed that CSMs with cytokine challenge at day 7 or 12 of culture can be chemically distinguished from one another and from untreated CSM using multivariate analysis. Comparison of the differences with reference spectra from adsorbed protein mixtures points towards cytokine challenge resulting in a decrease in collagen content. This is supported by immunocytochemical and histological staining, demonstrating a 44% loss of collagen mass and a 32% loss in collagen I coverage. CSM surfaces demonstrate greater cell adhesion than adsorbed ECM proteins. When mPObs were reseeded onto cytokine-challenged CSMs they exhibited reduced adhesion and elongated morphology compared to untreated CSMs. Such changes may direct subsequent cell fate and function, and provide insights into pathological responses at sites of inflammation.

Nanotopographical Surfaces for Stem Cell Fate Control: Engineering Mechanobiology from the Bottom

During embryogenesis and tissue maintenance and repair in an adult organism, a myriad of stem cells are regulated by their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) enriched with tissue/organ-specific nanoscale topographical cues to adopt different fates and functions. Attributed to their capability of self-renewal and differentiation into most types of somatic cells, stem cells also hold tremendous promise for regenerative medicine and drug screening. However, a major challenge remains as to achieve fate control of stem cells in vitro with high specificity and yield. Recent exciting advances in nanotechnology and materials science have enabled versatile, robust, and large-scale stem cell engineering in vitro through developments of synthetic nanotopographical surfaces mimicking topological features of stem cell niches. In addition to generating new insights for stem cell biology and embryonic development, this effort opens up unlimited opportunities for innovations in stem cell-based applications. This review is therefore to provide a summary of recent progress along this research direction, with perspectives focusing on emerging methods for generating nanotopographical surfaces and their applications in stem cell research. Furthermore, we provide a review of classical as well as emerging cellular mechano-sensing and -transduction mechanisms underlying stem cell nanotopography sensitivity and also give some hypotheses in regard to how a multitude of signaling events in cellular mechanotransduction may converge and be integrated into core pathways controlling stem cell fate in response to extracellular nanotopography.

Nanotopographical induction of osteogenesis through adhesion, bone morphogenic protein cosignaling, and regulation of microRNAs

It is emerging that nanotopographical information can be used to induce osteogenesis from mesenchymal stromal cells from the bone marrow, and it is hoped that this nanoscale bioactivity can be utilized to engineer next generation implants. However, the osteogenic mechanism of surfaces is currently poorly understood. In this report, we investigate mechanism and implicate bone morphogenic protein (BMP) in up-regulation of RUNX2 and show that RUNX2 and its regulatory miRNAs are BMP sensitive. Our data demonstrate that osteogenic nanotopography promotes colocalization of integrins and BMP2 receptors in order to enhance osteogenic activity and that vitronectin is important in this interface. This provides insight that topographical regulation of adhesion can have effects on signaling cascades outside of cytoskeletal signaling and that adhesions can have roles in augmenting BMP signaling.

The nanoscale geometrical maturation of focal adhesions controls stem cell differentiation and mechanotransduction

We show that the nanoscale adhesion geometry controls the spreading and differentiation of epidermal stem cells. We find that cells respond to such hard nanopatterns similarly to their behavior on soft hydrogels. Cellular responses were seen to stem from local changes in diffusion dynamics of the adapter protein vinculin and associated impaired mechanotransduction rather than impaired recruitment of proteins involved in focal adhesion formation.

Harnessing nanotopography and integrin-matrix interactions to influence stem cell fate

Stem cells respond to nanoscale surface features, with changes in cell growth and differentiation mediated by alterations in cell adhesion. The interaction of nanotopographical features with integrin receptors in the cells' focal adhesions alters how the cells adhere to materials surfaces, and defines cell fate through changes in both cell biochemistry and cell morphology. In this Review, we discuss how cell adhesions interact with nanotopography, and we provide insight as to how materials scientists can exploit these interactions to direct stem cell fate and to understand how the behaviour of stem cells in their niche can be controlled. We expect knowledge gained from the study of cell-nanotopography interactions to accelerate the development of next-generation stem cell culture materials and implant interfaces, and to fuel discovery of stem cell therapeutics to support regenerative therapies.

Investigation of the limits of nanoscale filopodial interactions

Mesenchymal stem cells are sensitive to changes in feature height, order and spacing. We had previously noted that there was an inverse relationship between osteoinductive potential and feature height on 15-, 55- and 90 nm-high titania nanopillars, with 15 nm-high pillars being the most effective substrate at inducing osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells. The osteoinductive effect was somewhat diminished by decreasing the feature height to 8 nm, however, which suggested that there was a cut-off point, potentially associated with a change in cell–nanofeature interactions. To investigate this further, in this study, a scanning electron microscopy/three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy approach was used to examine the interactions between mesenchymal stem cells and the 8 and 15 nm nanopillared surfaces. As expected, the cells adopted a predominantly filopodial mode of interaction with the 15 nm-high pillars. Interestingly, fine nanoscale membrane projections, which we have termed ‘nanopodia,’ were also employed by the cells on the 8 nm pillars, and it seems that this is analogous to the cells ‘clinging on with their fingertips’ to this scale of features.

Dalby M. Nanotopography – potential relevance in the stem cell niche

Nanotopographical cues observed in vivo (such as in the sinusoid and bone) closely resemble nanotopographies that in vitro have been shown to promote niche relevant stem cells behaviours; specifically, retention of multipotency and osteogenic differentiation on ordered and disordered nano-pits respectively. These and other observations highlight a potential role for nano topography in the stem cell niche.

Elliptical polymer brush ring array mediated protein patterning and cell adhesion on patterned protein surfaces

This paper presents a novel method to fabricate elliptical ring arrays of proteins. The protein arrays are prepared by covalently grafting proteins to the polymer brush ring arrays which are prepared by the techniques combining colloidal lithography dewetting and surface initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). Through this method, the parameters of protein patterns, such as height, wall thickness, periods, and distances between two elliptical rings, can be finely regulated. In addition, the sample which contains the elliptical protein ring arrays can be prepared over a large area up to 1 cm(2), and the protein on the ring maintains its biological activity. The as-prepared ring and elliptical ring arrays (ERAs) of fibronectin can promote cell adhesion and may have an active effect on the formation of the actin cytoskeleton.

Combined effects of PEG hydrogel elasticity and cell-adhesive coating on fibroblast adhesion and persistent migration

The development and use of synthetic, cross-linked, macromolecular substrates with tunable elasticity has been instrumental in revealing the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to their mechanical microenvironment. We here describe a hydrogel based on radical-free, cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) to study the effects of both substrate elasticity and type of adhesive coating on fibroblast adhesion and migration. Hydrogel elasticity was controlled through the structure and concentration of branched precursors, which efficiently react via Michael-type addition to produce the polymer network. We found that cell spreading and focal adhesion characteristics are dependent on elasticity for all types of coatings (RGD peptide, fibronectin, vitronectin), albeit with significant differences in magnitude. Importantly, fibroblasts migrated slower but more persistently on stiffer hydrogels, with the effects being more pronounced on fibronectin-coated substrates. Therefore, our results validate the hydrogels presented in this study as suitable for future mechanosensing studies and indicate that cell adhesion, polarity, and associated migration persistence are tuned by substrate elasticity and biochemical properties.

Bioactive chemical nanopatterns impact human mesenchymal stem cell fate

We present a method of preparing and characterizing nanostructured bioactive motifs using a combination of nanoimprint lithography and surface functionalization. Nanodots were fabricated on silicon surfaces and modified with a cell-adhesive RGD peptide for studies in human mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and differentiation. We report that bioactive nanostructures induce mature focal adhesions on human mesenchymal stem cells with an impact on their behavior and dynamics specifically in terms of cell spreading, cell-material contact, and cell differentiation.

Complex protein nanopatterns over large areas via colloidal lithography

The patterning of biomolecules at the nanoscale provides a powerful method to investigate cellular adhesion processes. A novel method for patterning is presented that is based on colloidal monolayer templating combined with multiple and angled deposition steps. Patterns of gold and SiO2 layers are used to generate complex protein nanopatterns over large areas. Simple circular patches or more complex ring structures are produced in addition to hierarchical patterns of smaller patches. The gold regions are modified through alkanethiol chemistry, which enables the preparation of extracellular matrix proteins (vitronectin) or cellular ligands (the extracellular domain of E-cadherin) in the nanopatterns, whereas the selective poly(l-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol) functionalization of the SiO2 matrix renders it protein repellent. Cell studies, as a proof of principle, demonstrate the potential for using sets of systematically varied samples with simpler or more complex patterns for studies of cellular adhesive behavior and reveal that the local distribution of proteins within a simple patch critically influences cell adhesion.

Nanoscale E-cadherin ligand patterns show threshold size for cellular adhesion and adherence junction formation

The role of ligand spatial distribution on the formation of cadherin mediated cell-cell contacts is studied utilizing nanopatterns of E-cadherin ligands. Protein patches ranging in size from 100 to 800 nm prepared by colloidal lithography critically influence adhesion, spreading, and formation of adherence junctions in epithelial cells. Cells at 100 nm patterns show poor adhesion, while larger pattern sizes show good adhesion, significant spreading, and defined cortical actin. We estimate a threshold of 0.03 μm(2) for epithelial cellular attachment via E-Cadherin.

Bacterial inclusion bodies: making gold from waste

Many protein species produced in recombinant bacteria aggregate as insoluble protein clusters named inclusion bodies (IBs). IBs are discarded from further processing or are eventually used as a pure protein source for in vitro refolding. Although usually considered as waste byproducts of protein production, recent insights into the physiology of recombinant bacteria and the molecular architecture of IBs have revealed that these protein particles are unexpected functional materials. In this Opinion article, we present the relevant mechanical properties of IBs and discuss the ways in which they can be explored as biocompatible nanostructured materials, mainly, but not exclusively, in biocatalysis and tissue engineering.