Fabrication of nanostructures of polyethylene glycol for applications to protein adsorption and cell adhesion

The influence of physical and spatial substrate characteristics on endothelial cells

Cardiovascular diseases are a main cause of death worldwide, leading to a growing demand for medical devices to treat this patient group. Central to the engineering of such devices is a good understanding of the biology and physics of cell-surface interactions. In existing blood-contacting devices, such as vascular grafts, the interaction between blood, cells, and material is one of the main limiting factors for their long-term durability. An improved understanding of the material's chemical- and physical properties as well as its structure all play a role in how endothelial cells interact with the material surface. This review provides an overview of how different surface structures influence endothelial cell responses and what is currently known about the underlying mechanisms that guide this behavior. The structures reviewed include decellularized matrices, electrospun fibers, pillars, pits, and grated surfaces.

NanoIEA: A Nanopatterned Interdigitated Electrode Array-Based Impedance Assay for Real-Time Measurement of Aligned Endothelial Cell Barrier Functions

A nanopatterned interdigitated electrode array (nanoIEA)-based impedance assay is developed for quantitative real-time measurement of aligned endothelial cell (EC) barrier functions in vitro. A bioinspired poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) (poly (l-DOPA)) coating is applied to improve the human brain EC adhesion onto the Nafion nanopatterned surfaces. It is found that a poly (l-DOPA)-coated Nafion grooved nanopattern makes the human brain ECs orient along the nanopattern direction. Aligned human brain ECs on Nafion nanopatterns exhibit increased expression of genes encoding tight and adherens junction proteins. Aligned human brain ECs also have enhanced impedance and resistance versus unaligned ones. Treatment with a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor (GSK3i) further increases impedance and resistance, suggesting synergistic effects occur on the cell-cell tightness of in vitro human brain ECs via a combination of anisotropic matrix nanotopography and GSK3i treatment. It is found that this enhanced cell-cell tightness of the combined approach is accompanied by increased expression of claudin protein. These data demonstrate that the proposed nanoIEA assay integrated with poly (l-DOPA)-coated Nafion nanopatterns and interdigitated electrode arrays can make not only biomimetic aligned ECs, but also enable real-time measurement of the enhanced barrier functions of aligned ECs via tighter cell-cell junctions.

Side-Chain Engineering in Hydrophilic n-Type π-Conjugated Polymers for Enhanced Reactivity

Minor changes to side chains in conjugated polymers (CPs) can have pronounced effects on polymer properties by altering backbone planarity, solubility, and interaction with ions. Here, we report the photocontrolled synthesis of hydrophilic CPs from Grignard monomers and find that switching from alkyl to oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side chains changes their photoreactivity. Specifically, installing hydrophilic side chains on the same monomer core yields higher molecular weight polymers and allows polymerization to proceed with lower-energy red light. Additionally, we discover a side chain decomposition pathway for N-OEG monomers, which are prevalent in CP research. Decomposition can be overcome by adding an extra methylene unit in the side chains without compromising polymer molecular weight or hydrophilicity. Importantly, this polymerization does not require transition metal catalysts and is a promising approach to the preparation of n-type conjugated block copolymers.

Antialgal Synergistic Polystyrene Blended with Polyethylene Glycol and Silver Sulfadiazine for Healthcare Applications

Polystyrene (PS) was blended with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silver sulfadiazine (SS) with different weight proportions to form polymeric blends. These synthesized blends were preliminary characterized in terms of functional groups through the FTIR technique. All compositions were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis for studying thermal transition and were founded thermally stable even at 280°C. The zeta potential and average diameter of algal strains of Dictyosphaerium sp. (DHM1), Dictyosphaerium sp. (DHM2), and Pectinodesmus sp. (PHM3) were measured to be -32.7 mV, -33.0 mV, and -25.7 mV and 179.6 nm, 102.6 nm, and 70.4 nm, respectively. Upon incorporation of PEG and SS into PS blends, contact angles were decreased while hydrophilicity and surface energy were increased. However, increase of surface energy did not led to decrease of antialgal activities. This has indicated that biofilm adhesion is not a major antialgal factor in these blended materials. The synergetic effect of PEG and SS in PS blends has exhibited significant antialgal activity via the agar disk diffusion method. The PSPS10 composition with 10 $w/w\%$ PEG and 10 $w/w\%$ SS has exhibited highest inhibition zones 10.8 mm, 10.8 mm, and 11.3 mm against algal strains DHM1, DHM2, and DHM3, respectively. This thermally stable polystyrene blends with improved antialgal properties have potential for a wide range of applications including marine coatings.

Nanoscale Wetting of Crystalline Cellulose

Cellulose possesses considerable potential for a wide range of sustainable applications. Nanocellulose-based material properties are primarily dependent on the structural surface characteristics of its crystalline planes. Experimental measurements of the affinity of crystalline nanocellulose surfaces with water are scarce and challenging to obtain. Therefore, the relative hydrophilicity of different cellulose allomorphs crystalline planes is often inferred from qualitative assessments of their surface and the exposition of polar groups to the solvent. This work investigates the relative hydrophilicity of cellulose surfaces using molecular dynamics simulations. The behavior of a water droplet laid on different crystal planes was used to determine their relative hydrophilicity. The water molecules fully spread onto highly hydrophilic surfaces. However, a water droplet placed on less hydrophilic surfaces equilibrates as an oblate spheroidal cap allowing the measurement of a contact angle. The results indicate that the Iα (010), Iα (11̅0), Iβ (010), and Iβ (110) faces, as well as the faces of human-made celluloses II and III_I (100), (11̅0), (010), and (110) are all highly hydrophilic. They all have a contact angle value inferior to 11°. Not unexpectedly, the Iα (001) and Iβ (100) surfaces are less hydrophilic with contact angles of 48 and 34°, respectively. However, the Iβ (11̅0) plane, often referred to as a hydrophilic surface, forms a contact angle of about 32°. The results are rationalized in terms of structure, exposure of hydroxyl groups to the solvent, and degree of cellulose-cellulose versus cellulose-water hydrogen bonds on each face. The simulations also show that the surface oxidation degree tunes the surface hydrophilicity in a nonlinear manner due to cooperative effects involving water-cellulose interactions. Our study helps us to understand how the degree of hydrophilicity of cellulose emerges from specific structural features of each crystalline surface.

Multi-scale structuring of cell-instructive cellulose nanocrystal composite hydrogel sheets via sequential electrospinning and thermal wrinkling

Structured hydrogel sheets offer the potential to mimic the mechanics and morphology of native cell environments in vitro; however, controlling the morphology of such sheets across multiple length scales to give cells consistent multi-dimensional cues remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a simple two-step process based on sequential electrospinning and thermal wrinkling to create nanocomposite poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate)/cellulose nanocrystal hydrogel sheets with a highly tunable multi-scale wrinkled (micro) and fibrous (nano) morphology. By varying the time of electrospinning, rotation speed of the collector, and geometry of the thermal wrinkling process, the hydrogel nanofiber density, fiber alignment, and wrinkle geometry (biaxial or uniaxial) can be independently controlled. Adhered C2C12 mouse myoblast muscle cells display a random orientation on biaxially wrinkled sheets but an extended morphology (directed preferentially along the wrinkles) on uniaxially wrinkled sheets. While the nanofiber orientation had a smaller effect on cell alignment, parallel nanofibers promoted improved cell alignment along the wrinkle direction while perpendicular nanofibers disrupted alignment. The highly tunable structures demonstrated are some of the most complex morphologies engineered into hydrogels to-date without requiring intensive micro/nanofabrication approaches and offer the potential to precisely regulate cell-substrate interactions in a "2.5D" environment (i.e. a surface with both micro- and nano-structured topographies) for in vitro cell screening or in vivo tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: While structured hydrogels can mimic the morphology of natural tissues, controlling this morphology over multiple length scales remains challenging. Furthermore, the incorporation of secondary morphologies within individual hydrogels via simple manufacturing techniques would represent a significant advancement in the field of structured biomaterials and an opportunity to study complex cell-biomaterial interactions. Herein, we leverage a two-step process based on electrospinning and thermal wrinkling to prepare structured hydrogels with microscale wrinkles and nanoscale fibers. Fiber orientation/density and wrinkle geometry can be independently controlled during the electrospinning and thermal wrinkling processes respectively, demonstrating the flexibility of this technique for creating well-defined multiscale hydrogel structures. Finally, we show that while wrinkle geometry is the major determinant of cell alignment, nanofiber orientation also plays a role in this process.

Fabrication of nanomolded Nafion thin films with tunable mechanical and electrical properties using thermal evaporation-induced capillary force lithography

In this paper, we report a simple and facile method to fabricate nanomolded Nafion thin films with tunable mechanical, and electrical properties. To achieve this, we combine a novel thermal evaporation-induced capillary force lithography method with swelling process to obtain enhanced pattern fidelity in nanomolded Nafion films. We demonstrate that structural fidelity and mechanical properties of patterned Nafion thin films can be modulated by changing fabrication parameters such as swelling time, Nafion polymer concentration, and curing temperature. Interestingly, we also find that impedance properties of nanomolded Nafion thin films are associated with the Nafion polymer concentration and curing temperature. In particular, 20% Nafion thin films exhibit greater impedance stability and lower impedance values than 5% Nafion thin films at lower frequencies. Moreover, curing temperature-specific impedance changes are observed. These results suggest that capillary lithography can be used to fabricate Nafion nanostructures with high pattern fidelity capable of modifying mechanical and electrical properties of Nafion thin films.

Photocontrolled bromine–iodine transformation reversible-deactivation radical polymerization: facile synthesis of star copolymers and unimolecular micelles

A facile strategy of synthesizing star copolymers was successfully established via photocontrolled BIT-RDRP. The obtained copolymers have well-defined four-arm amphiphilic block architecture and can form stable unimolecular micelles in water.

Self-detachable UV-curable polymers for open-access microfluidic platforms

This study presents an ultraviolet (UV)-curable polymer which is applicable to open-access microfluidic platforms. The UV-curable polymer was prepared by mixing trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), polyethylene glycol-diacrylate (PEG-DA), and Irgacure 184. The polymer resin is optically transparent before and after UV-assisted curing and showed good biocompatibility when culturing multiple types of cells on the nanopatterned polymer substrate. The polymer has good adhesion with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) even under large deformation and showed a low swelling ratio when exposed to water, suggesting a possibility to be used as a substrate for an organ on a chip. Furthermore, because the polymers have controllable hydrolysis ability depending on the composition, long-term 3D cell culture and subsequent biological analysis with harvested cells are possible. The self-detachable synthesized UV-curable polymer may help the advancement of biomedical studies using in vitro cell culture.

Infarct Collagen Topography Regulates Fibroblast Fate via p38-Yes-Associated Protein Transcriptional Enhanced Associate Domain Signals

RATIONALE

Myocardial infarction causes spatial variation in collagen organization and phenotypic diversity in fibroblasts, which regulate the heart's ECM (extracellular matrix). The relationship between collagen structure and fibroblast phenotype is poorly understood but could provide insights regarding the mechanistic basis for myofibroblast heterogeneity in the injured heart.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of collagen organization in cardiac fibroblast fate determination.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Biomimetic topographies were nanofabricated to recapitulate differential collagen organization in the infarcted mouse heart. Here, adult cardiac fibroblasts were freshly isolated and cultured on ECM topographical mimetics for 72 hours. Aligned mimetics caused cardiac fibroblasts to elongate while randomly organized topographies induced circular morphology similar to the disparate myofibroblast morphologies measured in vivo. Alignment cues also induced myofibroblast differentiation, as >60% of fibroblasts formed αSMA (α-smooth muscle actin) stress fibers and expressed myofibroblast-specific ECM genes like Postn (periostin). By contrast, random organization caused 38% of cardiac fibroblasts to express αSMA albeit with downregulated myofibroblast-specific ECM genes. Coupling topographical cues with the profibrotic agonist, TGFβ (transforming growth factor beta), additively upregulated myofibroblast-specific ECM genes independent of topography, but only fibroblasts on flat and randomly oriented mimetics had increased percentages of fibroblasts with αSMA stress fibers. Increased tension sensation at focal adhesions induced myofibroblast differentiation on aligned mimetics. These signals were transduced by p38-YAP (yes-associated protein)-TEAD (transcriptional enhanced associate domain) interactions, in which both p38 and YAP-TEAD (yes-associated protein transcriptional enhanced associate domain) binding were required for myofibroblast differentiation. By contrast, randomly oriented mimetics did not change focal adhesion tension sensation or enrich for p38-YAP-TEAD interactions, which explains the topography-dependent diversity in fibroblast phenotypes observed here.

CONCLUSIONS

Spatial variations in collagen organization regulate cardiac fibroblast phenotype through mechanical activation of p38-YAP-TEAD signaling, which likely contribute to myofibroblast heterogeneity in the infarcted myocardium.

Tunable Control of the Hydrophilicity and Wettability of Conjugated Polymers by a Postpolymerization Modification Approach

A facile method to prepare hydrophilic polymers by a postpolymerization nucleophillic aromatic substitution reaction of fluoride on an emissive conjugated polymer (CP) backbone is reported. Quantitative functionalization by a series of monofunctionalized ethylene glycol oligomers, from dimer to hexamer, as well as with high molecular weight polyethylene glycol is demonstrated. The length of the ethylene glycol sidechains is shown to have a direct impact on the surface wettability of the polymer, as well as its solubility in polar solvents. However, the energetics and band gap of the CPs remain essentially constant. This method therefore allows an easy way to modulate the wettability and solubility of CP materials for a diverse series of applications.

2.5D Hierarchical Structuring of Nanocomposite Hydrogel Films Containing Cellulose Nanocrystals

Although two-dimensional hydrogel thin films have been applied across many biomedical applications, creating higher dimensionality structured hydrogel interfaces would enable potentially improved and more biomimetic hydrogel performance in biosensing, bioseparations, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing applications. Herein, we present a new and simple approach to control the structure of hydrogel thin films in 2.5D. Hybrid suspensions containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and aldehyde- or hydrazide-functionalized poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) were spin-coated onto prestressed polystyrene substrates to form cross-linked hydrogel thin films. The films were then structured via thermal shrinking, with control over the direction of shrinking leading to the formation of biaxial, uniaxial, or hierarchical wrinkles. Notably, POEGMA-only hydrogel thin films (without CNCs) did not form uniform wrinkles due to partial dewetting from the substrate during shrinking. Topographical feature sizes of CNC-POEGMA films could be tuned across 2 orders of magnitude (from ∼300 nm to 20 μm) by varying the POEGMA concentration, the length of poly(ethylene glycol) side chains in the polymer, and/or the overall film thickness. Furthermore, by employing adhesive masks during the spin-coating process, structured films with gradient wrinkle sizes can be fabricated. This precise control over both wrinkle size and wrinkle topography adds a level of functionality that to date has been lacking in conventional hydrogel networks.

Biocompatibility of Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) Nanocomposites Modified with Silver Nanoparticles

We evaluated the biological, mechanical, and surface properties of polymer nanocomposites manufactured via plastics processing, extrusion, and injection moulding. The aim of this study was to identify the interaction of fibroblasts and osteoblasts with materials intended for middle ear implants. We examined if silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may change the mechanical parameters of the polymer nanocomposites. In our study, the biostable polymer of thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer was used. Silver nanoparticles were applied as a modifier. We discuss surface parameters of the materials, including wettability and roughness, and evaluated the microstructure. The mechanical parameters, such as the Young's modulus and tensile strength, were measured. Cytotoxicity tests were conducted on two cell lines: Hs680.Tr human fibroblasts and Saos-2 human osteoblasts. Cell viability, proliferation, and morphology in direct contact with nanocomposites were tested. Based on the results, the incorporated modifier was found to affect neither the number of osteoblasts nor the fibroblast cells. However, the addition of AgNPs had a relatively small effect on the cytotoxicity of the materials. A slight increase in the cytotoxicity of the test materials was observed with respect to the control, with the cytotoxicity of the materials tending to decrease after seven days for osteoblast cells, whereas it remained steady for fibroblasts. Based on optical microscope observation, the shape and morphology of the adhered cells were evaluated. After seven days of culture, fibroblasts and osteoblasts were properly shaped and evenly settled on the surface of both the pure polymer and the silver nanoparticle-modified composite. Water droplet tests demonstrated increased hydrophilicity when adding the AgNPs to ABS matrices, whereas roughness tests did not show changes in the surface topography of the investigated samples. The 0.5% by weight incorporation of AgNPs into ABS matrices did not influence the mechanical properties.

Engineering cardiac microphysiological systems to model pathological extracellular matrix remodeling

Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the myocardium. ECM remodeling is a complex, multifactorial process that often contributes to declines in myocardial function and progression toward heart failure. However, the direct effects of the many forms of ECM remodeling on myocardial cell and tissue function remain elusive, in part because conventional model systems used to investigate these relationships lack robust experimental control over the ECM. To address these shortcomings, microphysiological systems are now being developed and implemented to establish direct relationships between distinct features in the ECM and myocardial function with unprecedented control and resolution in vitro. In this review, we will first highlight the most prominent characteristics of ECM remodeling in cardiovascular disease and describe how these features can be mimicked with synthetic and natural biomaterials that offer independent control over multiple ECM-related parameters, such as rigidity and composition. We will then detail innovative microfabrication techniques that enable precise regulation of cellular architecture in two and three dimensions. We will also describe new approaches for quantifying multiple aspects of myocardial function in vitro, such as contractility, action potential propagation, and metabolism. Together, these collective technologies implemented as cardiac microphysiological systems will continue to uncover important relationships between pathological ECM remodeling and myocardial cell and tissue function, leading to new fundamental insights into cardiovascular disease, improved human disease models, and novel therapeutic approaches.

Facile modulation of cell adhesion to a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate film with incorporation of polystyrene nano-spheres

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is a common hydrogel that has been actively investigated for various tissue engineering applications owing to its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. However, the native PEGDA films are known for their bio-inertness which can hinder cell adhesion, thereby limiting their applications in tissue engineering and biomedicine. Recently, nano composite technology has become a particularly hot topic, and has led to the development of new methods for delivering desired properties to nanomaterials. In this study, we added polystyrene nano-spheres (PS) into a PEGDA solution to synthesize a nano-composite film and evaluated its characteristics. The experimental results showed that addition of the nanospheres to the PEGDA film not only resulted in modification of the mechanical properties and surface morphology but further improved the adhesion of cells on the film. The tensile modulus showed clear dependence on the addition of PS, which enhanced the mechanical properties of the PEGDA-PS film. We attribute the high stiffness of the hybrid hydrogel to the formation of additional cross-links between polymeric chains and the nano-sphere surface in the network. The effect of PS on cell adhesion and proliferation was evaluated in L929 mouse fibroblast cells that were seeded on the surface of various PEGDA-PS films. Cells density increased with a larger PS concentration, and the cells displayed a spreading morphology on the hybrid films, which promoted cell proliferation. Impressively, cellular stiffness could also be modulated simply by tuning the concentration of nano-spheres. Our results indicate that the addition of PS can effectively tailor the physical and biological properties of PEGDA as well as the mechanical properties of cells, with benefits for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Biological responses to immobilized microscale and nanoscale surface topographies

Cellular responses are highly influenced by biochemical and biomechanical interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Due to the impact of ECM architecture on cellular responses, significant research has been dedicated towards developing biomaterials that mimic the physiological environment for design of improved medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. Surface topographies with microscale and nanoscale features have demonstrated an effect on numerous cellular responses, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, gene expression, protein production, and differentiation; however, relationships between biological responses and surface topographies are difficult to establish due to differences in cell types and biomaterial surface properties. Therefore, it is important to optimize implant surface feature characteristics to elicit desirable biological responses for specific applications. The goal of this work was to review studies investigating the effects of microstructured and nanostructured biomaterials on in vitro biological responses through fabrication of microscale and nanoscale surface topographies, physico-chemical characterization of material surface properties, investigation of protein adsorption dynamics, and evaluation of cellular responses in specific biomedical applications.

Nanocomposite Films of Laponite/PEG-Grafted Polymers and Polymer Brushes with Nonfouling Properties

We explore the suitability of nanocomposite thin films based on laponite nanomaterial and grafted antiadhesive polymers as transparent nonfouling surfaces. For this purpose, two polymers were chosen: a linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) silane, 2-[methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]-trimethoxysilane), and thermoresponsive poly(oligo ethylene glycol)-methyl ether-methacrylate (POEGMA) brushes. PEG silane was grafted on the laponite nanoparticles in solution yielding homogeneous and transparent thin films via a dip coating procedure on glass and silicon substrates. POEGMA was grafted on laponite-(3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) nanocomposite films that were processed similarly to PEG-silane using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Film characterization with, among others, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) attests to successful grafting of the polymers to the laponite nanoparticles. In particular, evidence of basal plane expansion of laponite with increasing silane concentration are obtained using XRD, while patent morphological changes are revealed with AFM. The results are discussed in terms of the different grafting sites on laponite and compared with literature. While LP-PEG-silane is easily applied to a surface from a precursor solution via a dip coating procedure LP-APTMS-OEGMA requires lots more chemicals, a thorough control of reaction parameters, and longer reaction time in order to generate films with the desirable properties. We therefore also addressed the antifouling properties of the films. These were tested together with control samples of bare glass and laponite thin films for 30 days in an algae container. More tests were conducted with fibroblast cell cultures. Our preliminary results show that grafting of PEG containing polymers and polymer brushes alters the properties of the laponite films from fouling to nonfouling surfaces. As a first estimate, the adhesion of particles (diatoms, algae, etc.) to surfaces is reduced by approximately 85% in the case of LP-PEG-silane and up to 92% in the case of LP-APTMS-POEGMA, in comparison to the control surfaces. Furthermore, practically no cell adhesion on such surfaces could be observed.

Mechanochemical feedback underlies coexistence of qualitatively distinct cell polarity patterns within diverse cell populations

Cell polarization and directional cell migration can display random, persistent, and oscillatory dynamic patterns. However, it is not clear whether these polarity patterns can be explained by the same underlying regulatory mechanism. Here, we show that random, persistent, and oscillatory migration accompanied by polarization can simultaneously occur in populations of melanoma cells derived from tumors with different degrees of aggressiveness. We demonstrate that all of these patterns and the probabilities of their occurrence are quantitatively accounted for by a simple mechanism involving a spatially distributed, mechanochemical feedback coupling the dynamically changing extracellular matrix (ECM)-cell contacts to the activation of signaling downstream of the Rho-family small GTPases. This mechanism is supported by a predictive mathematical model and extensive experimental validation, and can explain previously reported results for diverse cell types. In melanoma, this mechanism also accounts for the effects of genetic and environmental perturbations, including mutations linked to invasive cell spread. The resulting mechanistic understanding of cell polarity quantitatively captures the relationship between population variability and phenotypic plasticity, with the potential to account for a wide variety of cell migration states in diverse pathological and physiological conditions.

Simple and scalable preparation of master mold for nanoimprint lithography

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is one of the most prominent bottom-up techniques for duplicating nanostructures with a high throughput. However, fabrication of starting master mold commonly requires expensive equipment of top-down techniques, or additional steps to transfer the fabricated patterns from bottom-up methods. Here we demonstrate that a SiO₂ nanostructure manufactured from a self-assembled block copolymer, polystyrene-b-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS), directly serves as a master mold for NIL without further modification. A hexagonally aligned pattern over the entire substrate is established using a simple technique; solvent annealing and etching. Etching also plays an important role in endowing fluorine on the surface of SiO₂, thus promoting smooth demolding upon imprinting. The obtained pattern of the SiO₂ nanostructure is transferred to a polymer surface using UV nanoimprint. Identical patterns of the SiO₂ nanostructure are elaborately reproduced on Ni and Cu nanodot arrays via electroplating on the polymer transcript, which was verified by morphological observations. The uniformity of the replicated Ni nanodot array is evaluated using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The measured optical response of the Ni nanodot is validated by electromagnetically simulated results, indicating that the pattern transfer is not limited to a small local area. In addition, the durability of the SiO₂ mold pattern is corroborated after the imprinting process, thus guaranteeing the reusability of the fabricated nanostructure as a master mold. The proposed approach does not require any high-end lithographic techniques; this may result in significant cost and time reductions in future nanofabrication.

Artificial Slanted Nanocilia Array as a Mechanotransducer for Controlling Cell Polarity

We present a method to induce cell directional behavior using slanted nanocilia arrays. NIH-3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated bidirectional polarization in a rectangular arrangement on vertical nanocilia arrays and exhibited a transition from a bidirectional to a unidirectional polarization pattern when the angle of the nanocilia was decreased from 90° to 30°. The slanted nanocilia guided and facilitated spreading by allowing the cells to contact the sidewalls of the nanocilia, and the directional migration of the cells opposed the direction of the slant due to the anisotropic bending stiffness of the slanted nanocilia. Although the cells recognized the underlying anisotropic geometry when the nanocilia were coated with fibronectin, collagen type I, and Matrigel, the cells lost their directionality when the nanocilia were coated with poly-d-lysine and poly-l-lysine. Furthermore, although the cells recognized geometrical anisotropy on fibronectin coatings, pharmacological perturbation of PI3K-Rac signaling hindered the directional elongation of the cells on both the slanted and vertical nanocilia. Furthermore, myosin light chain II was required for the cells to obtain polarized morphologies. These results indicated that the slanted nanocilia array provided anisotropic contact guidance cues to the interacting cells. The polarization of cells was controlled through two steps: the recognition of underlying geometrical anisotropy and the subsequent directional spreading according to the guidance cues.

Nano- and microstructured materials for in vitro studies of the physiology of vascular cells

The extracellular environment of vascular cells in vivo is complex in its chemical composition, physical properties, and architecture. Consequently, it has been a great challenge to study vascular cell responses in vitro, either to understand their interaction with their native environment or to investigate their interaction with artificial structures such as implant surfaces. New procedures and techniques from materials science to fabricate bio-scaffolds and surfaces have enabled novel studies of vascular cell responses under well-defined, controllable culture conditions. These advancements are paving the way for a deeper understanding of vascular cell biology and materials-cell interaction. Here, we review previous work focusing on the interaction of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) with materials having micro- and nanostructured surfaces. We summarize fabrication techniques for surface topographies, materials, geometries, biochemical functionalization, and mechanical properties of such materials. Furthermore, various studies on vascular cell behavior and their biological responses to micro- and nanostructured surfaces are reviewed. Emphasis is given to studies of cell morphology and motility, cell proliferation, the cytoskeleton and cell-matrix adhesions, and signal transduction pathways of vascular cells. We finalize with a short outlook on potential interesting future studies.

Adsorption of Human Plasma Albumin and Fibronectin onto Nanostructured Black Silicon Surfaces

The protein adsorption of two human plasma proteins-albumin (Alb) and fibronectin (Fn)-onto synthetic nanostructured bactericidal material-black silicon (bSi) surfaces (that contain an array of nanopillars) and silicon wafer (nonstructured) surfaces-was investigated. The adsorption behavior of Alb and Fn onto two types of substrata was studied using a combination of complementary analytical techniques. A two-step Alb adsorption mechanism onto the bSi surface has been proposed. At low bulk concentrations (below 40 μg/mL), the Alb preferentially adsorbed at the base of the nanopillars. At higher bulk concentrations, the Alb adsorbed on the top of the nanopillars. In the case of Fn, the protein preferentially adsorbed on the top of the nanopillars, irrespective of its bulk concentration.

Multiscale Cues Drive Collective Cell Migration

To investigate complex biophysical relationships driving directed cell migration, we developed a biomimetic platform that allows perturbation of microscale geometric constraints with concomitant nanoscale contact guidance architectures. This permits us to elucidate the influence, and parse out the relative contribution, of multiscale features, and define how these physical inputs are jointly processed with oncogenic signaling. We demonstrate that collective cell migration is profoundly enhanced by the addition of contract guidance cues when not otherwise constrained. However, while nanoscale cues promoted migration in all cases, microscale directed migration cues are dominant as the geometric constraint narrows, a behavior that is well explained by stochastic diffusion anisotropy modeling. Further, oncogene activation (i.e. mutant PIK3CA) resulted in profoundly increased migration where extracellular multiscale directed migration cues and intrinsic signaling synergistically conspire to greatly outperform normal cells or any extracellular guidance cues in isolation.

Directed migration of cancer cells guided by the graded texture of the underlying matrix

Living cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) can exhibit complex interactions that define key developmental, physiological and pathological processes. Here, we report a new type of directed migration-which we term 'topotaxis'-guided by the gradient of the nanoscale topographic features in the cells' ECM environment. We show that the direction of topotaxis is reflective of the effective cell stiffness, and that it depends on the balance of the ECM-triggered signalling pathways PI(3)K-Akt and ROCK-MLCK. In melanoma cancer cells, this balance can be altered by different ECM inputs, pharmacological perturbations or genetic alterations, particularly a loss of PTEN in aggressive melanoma cells. We conclude that topotaxis is a product of the material properties of cells and the surrounding ECM, and propose that the invasive capacity of many cancers may depend broadly on topotactic responses, providing a potentially attractive mechanism for controlling invasive and metastatic behaviour.

Integrating mechanical and biological control of cell proliferation through bioinspired multieffector materials

In nature, cells respond to complex mechanical and biological stimuli whose understanding is required for tissue construction in regenerative medicine. However, the full replication of such bimodal effector networks is far to be reached. Engineering substrate roughness and architecture allows regulating cell adhesion, positioning, proliferation, differentiation and survival, and the external supply of soluble protein factors (mainly growth factors and hormones) has been long applied to promote growth and differentiation. Further, bioinspired scaffolds are progressively engineered as reservoirs for the in situ sustained release of soluble protein factors from functional topographies. We review here how research progresses toward the design of integrative, holistic scaffold platforms based on the exploration of individual mechanical and biological effectors and their further combination.

Development of biocompatible hydroxyapatite–poly(ethylene glycol) core–shell nanoparticles as an improved drug carrier: structural and electrical characterizations

A model of a controlled drug release mechanism of a dielectric core–shell composite carrier.

Kinetically controlled patterning of highly cross-linked phosphonium photopolymers using simple anion exchange

A phosphonium salt possessing three methacrylate groups has been incorporated into a photopolymeric system to generate highly cross-linked polyelectrolyte networks. Emergent chemical and physical properties in the polymers were observed and attributed to the tandem increase in cross-link density and ion-content upon incorporation of the self-cross-linking cation. Anion-exchange with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide or dodecylbenzenesulfonate resulted in significant differences in wettability and ion-exchange behavior. The passivating effects of dodecylbenzenesulfonate were utilized to selectively pattern fluorescein dye into the polymer network, highlighting a new patterning procedure using ionic-bond forming reactions.

Streptavidin functionalized polymer nanodots fabricated by visible light lithography

Background

Two-photon polymerization, optionally combined with stimulated emission depletion (STED) lithography, allows two and three dimensional polymer fabrication with structure sizes and resolution below the diffraction limit. Structuring of polymers with photons, whose wavelength is within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, gives new opportunities to a large field of applications e.g. in the field of biotechnology and tissue engineering. In order to create new biotechnological applications, versatile methods are needed to functionalize the polymeric structures.

Results

Here we report the creation of polymer-nanodots with high streptavidin (SA) affinity via two-photon polymerization (TPP). Controlling the size of the polymer dots allows for limiting the number of the SA molecules. TPP dots with a diameter of a few 100 nm show up to 100% streptavidin loading. We can show that most of the dots are loaded by one to two streptavidins on average. Attached streptavidin molecules remain functional and are capable to bind 0.7 biotin molecules on average.

Conclusion

The presented functionalized nanostructures may be used as platforms for a multitude of biological experimental setups. Nanoscopic well defined structures, capable of selective binding of streptavin proteins, used as linkers for other biotinylated biomolecules, may also find application in in-vitro sensing, like for example lab on chip devices with limited surface area.

Long-range photoinduced electron transfer dynamics in rigid media

In semi-rigid PEG-DMA550 films with added reductive quenchers, electron transfer quenching of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state(s) of [Ru(bpy)3](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) occurs by both rapid, fixed-site, and slow, diffusional, quenching processes. Stern-Volmer analysis of diffusional quenching reveals diffusion-controlled quenching both in the fluid and film with the latter greatly inhibited by the high viscosity of the medium. The data for fixed-site quenching are consistent with electron tunneling with the expected exponential distance dependence. Based on this analysis long-range electron transfer occurs with a distance attenuation factor β of ∼0.47 Å(-1) with a notable decrease, β = 0.16 Å(-1), when the quencher is incorporated into the PEG backbone. Fixed-site electron transfer quenching varies with driving force. Back electron transfer is complex, as expected for a distribution of fixed sites, and varies with power law kinetics.

Novel functionalization of discrete polymeric biomaterial microstructures for applications in imaging and three-dimensional manipulation

Adapting ways to functionalize polymer materials is becoming increasingly important to their implementation in translational biomedical sciences. By tuning the mechanical, chemical, and biological qualities of these materials, their applications can be broadened, opening the door for more advanced integration into modern medical techniques. Here, we report on a method to integrate chemical functionalizations into discrete, microscale polymer structures, which are used for tissue engineering applications, for in vivo localization, and three-dimensional manipulation. Iron oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the polymer matrix using common photolithographic techniques to create stably functional microstructures with magnetic potential. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we can promote visualization of microstructures contained in small collections, as well as facilitate the manipulation and alignment of microtopographical cues in a realistic tissue environment. Using similar polymer functionalization techniques, fluorine-containing compounds were also embedded in the polymer matrix of photolithographically fabricated microstructures. The incorporation of fluorine-containing compounds enabled highly sensitive and specific detection of microstructures in physiologic settings using fluorine MRI techniques ((19)F MRI). These functionalization strategies will facilitate more reliable noninvasive tracking and characterization of microstructured polymer implants as well as have implications for remote microstructural scaffolding alignment for three-dimensional tissue engineering applications.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a hydrogel reservoir as a continuous drug delivery system for inner ear treatment

Fibrous tissue growth and loss of residual hearing after cochlear implantation can be reduced by application of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone-21-phosphate-disodium-salt (DEX). To date, sustained delivery of this agent to the cochlea using a number of pharmaceutical technologies has not been entirely successful. In this study we examine a novel way of continuous local drug application into the inner ear using a refillable hydrogel functionalized silicone reservoir. A PEG-based hydrogel made of reactive NCO-sP(EO-stat-PO) prepolymers was evaluated as a drug conveying and delivery system in vitro and in vivo. Encapsulating the free form hydrogel into a silicone tube with a small opening for the drug diffusion resulted in delayed drug release but unaffected diffusion of DEX through the gel compared to the free form hydrogel. Additionally, controlled DEX release over several weeks could be demonstrated using the hydrogel filled reservoir. Using a guinea-pig cochlear trauma model the reservoir delivery of DEX significantly protected residual hearing and reduced fibrosis. As well as being used as a device in its own right or in combination with cochlear implants, the hydrogel-filled reservoir represents a new drug delivery system that feasibly could be replenished with therapeutic agents to provide sustained treatment of the inner ear.

Tribological characteristics of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a lubricant for wear resistance of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE ) in artificial knee join

For the longevity of total knee joint prostheses, we have developed an artificial lubricant using polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the prevention of wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In the present study, the lubricative function of this PEG lubricant was evaluated by a wear test using Co-Cr alloy and UHMWPE counter surface samples. As a result, human synovial fluid including the PEG lubricant showed good result regarding the wear volume and a worn surface of UHMWPE. Considering its lubrication mechanism, it is suspected that interaction between the PEG molecules and the proteins in synovial fluid was involved. Since PE molecules are also organic compounds having a hydroxyl group at one or both ends, the albumin and PEG molecule complex would have bound more strongly to the metal oxide surface and UHMWPE surfaces might enhance and stabilize the lubricating film between the contact surfaces under the boundary lubrication. This study suggests that PEG lubricant as an intra-articular viscous supplement has the potential to prevent wear of UHMWPE by mixing with synovial fluid and to contribute to the longevity of knee joint prostheses.

Capillary force lithography for cardiac tissue engineering

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide(1). Cardiac tissue engineering holds much promise to deliver groundbreaking medical discoveries with the aims of developing functional tissues for cardiac regeneration as well as in vitro screening assays. However, the ability to create high-fidelity models of heart tissue has proven difficult. The heart's extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex structure consisting of both biochemical and biomechanical signals ranging from the micro- to the nanometer scale(2). Local mechanical loading conditions and cell-ECM interactions have recently been recognized as vital components in cardiac tissue engineering(3-5). A large portion of the cardiac ECM is composed of aligned collagen fibers with nano-scale diameters that significantly influences tissue architecture and electromechanical coupling(2). Unfortunately, few methods have been able to mimic the organization of ECM fibers down to the nanometer scale. Recent advancements in nanofabrication techniques, however, have enabled the design and fabrication of scalable scaffolds that mimic the in vivo structural and substrate stiffness cues of the ECM in the heart(6-9). Here we present the development of two reproducible, cost-effective, and scalable nanopatterning processes for the functional alignment of cardiac cells using the biocompatible polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)(8) and a polyurethane (PU) based polymer. These anisotropically nanofabricated substrata (ANFS) mimic the underlying ECM of well-organized, aligned tissues and can be used to investigate the role of nanotopography on cell morphology and function(10-14). Using a nanopatterned (NP) silicon master as a template, a polyurethane acrylate (PUA) mold is fabricated. This PUA mold is then used to pattern the PU or PLGA hydrogel via UV-assisted or solvent-mediated capillary force lithography (CFL), respectively(15,16). Briefly, PU or PLGA pre-polymer is drop dispensed onto a glass coverslip and the PUA mold is placed on top. For UV-assisted CFL, the PU is then exposed to UV radiation (λ = 250-400 nm) for curing. For solvent-mediated CFL, the PLGA is embossed using heat (120 °C) and pressure (100 kPa). After curing, the PUA mold is peeled off, leaving behind an ANFS for cell culture. Primary cells, such as neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, as well as human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, can be maintained on the ANFS(2).

Thermoresponsive nanofabricated substratum for the engineering of three-dimensional tissues with layer-by-layer architectural control

Current tissue engineering methods lack the ability to properly recreate scaffold-free, cell-dense tissues with physiological structures. Recent studies have shown that the use of nanoscale cues allows for precise control over large-area 2D tissue structures without restricting cell growth or cell density. In this study, we developed a simple and versatile platform combining a thermoresponsive nanofabricated substratum (TNFS) incorporating nanotopographical cues and the gel casting method for the fabrication of scaffold-free 3D tissues. Our TNFS allows for the structural control of aligned cell monolayers which can be spontaneously detached via a change in culture temperature. Utilizing our gel casting method, viable, aligned cell sheets can be transferred without loss of anisotropy or stacked with control over individual layer orientations. Transferred cell sheets and individual cell layers within multilayered tissues robustly retain structural anisotropy, allowing for the fabrication of scaffold-free, 3D tissues with hierarchical control of overall tissue structure.

Topographical control of cell-cell interaction in C6 glioma by nanodot arrays

Nanotopography modulates the physiological behavior of cells and cell-cell interactions, but the manner of communication remains unclear. Cell networking (syncytium) of astroglia provides the optimal microenvironment for communication of the nervous system. C6 glioma cells were seeded on nanodot arrays with dot diameters ranging from 10 to 200 nm. Cell viability, morphology, cytoskeleton, and adhesion showed optimal cell growth on 50-nm nanodots if sufficient incubation was allowed. In particular, the astrocytic syncytium level maximized at 50 nm. The gap junction protein Cx43 showed size-dependent and time-dependent transport from the nucleus to the cell membrane. The transport efficiency was greatly enhanced by incubation on 50-nm nanodots. In summary, nanotopography is capable of modulating cell behavior and influencing the cell-cell interactions of astrocytes. By fine-tuning the nanoenvironment, it may be possible to regulate cell-cell communications and optimize the biocompatibility of neural implants.

Polymersomes as an effective drug delivery system for glioma--a review

Glioma is one of the most commonly occurring malignant brain tumours which need proper treatment strategy. The current therapies for treating glioma like surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have failed in achieving satisfactory results and this forms a rationale for the development of novel drug delivery systems. Among them, polymersomes are superior novel carriers with diverse functions like enhanced stability, low permeability, tunable membrane properties, surface functionality, and long blood circulation time which make them suitable for cancer therapy. These are bilayered vesicles capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs used to target glioma effectively. In this review, we have discussed on general preparation, characterization, and targeting aspects of surface modified polymersomes for effective delivery of therapeutic agents to glioma.

Rigid medium effects on photophysical properties of MLCT excited states of polypyridyl Os(II) complexes in polymerized poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate monoliths

Higher-energy emissions from the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited states of a series of polypyridyl Os(II) complexes were observed at the fluid-to-film transition in PEG-DMA550. The higher-energy excited states, caused by a "rigid medium effect" in the film, led to enhanced emission quantum yields and longer excited-state lifetimes. Detailed analyses of spectra and excited-state dynamics by Franck-Condon emission spectral analysis and application of the energy gap law for nonradiative excited-state decay reveal that the rigid medium effect arises from the inability of part of the local medium dielectric environment to respond to the change in charge distribution in the excited state during its lifetime. Enhanced excited-state lifetimes are consistent with qualitative and quantitative predictions of the energy gap law.