Controlling the surface coverage and arrangement of proteins using particle lithography

Molecular-level studies of extracellular matrix proteins conducted using atomic force microscopy

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins provide anchorage and structural strength to cells and tissues in the body and, thus, are fundamental molecular components for processes of cell proliferation, growth, and function. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has increasingly become a valuable approach for studying biological molecules such as ECM proteins at the level of individual molecules. Operational modes of AFM can be used to acquire the measurements of the physical, electronic, and mechanical properties of samples, as well as for viewing the intricate details of the surface chemistry of samples. Investigations of the morphology and properties of biomolecules at the nanoscale can be useful for understanding the interactions between ECM proteins and biological molecules such as cells, DNA, and other proteins. Methods for preparing protein samples for AFM studies require only basic steps, such as the immersion of a substrate in a dilute solution or protein, or the deposition of liquid droplets of protein suspensions on a flat, clean surface. Protocols of nanolithography have been used to define the arrangement of proteins for AFM studies. Using AFM, mechanical and force measurements with tips that are coated with ECM proteins can be captured in ambient or aqueous environments. In this review, representative examples of AFM studies are described for molecular-level investigations of the structure, surface assembly, protein-cell interactions, and mechanical properties of ECM proteins (collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin). Methods used for sample preparation as well as characterization with modes of AFM will be discussed.

Spatially selective binding of green fluorescent protein on designed organosilane nanopatterns prepared with particle lithography

A practical approach for preparing protein nanopatterns has been to design surface templates of nanopatterns of alkanethiols or organosilanes that will selectively bind and localize the placement of biomolecules. Particle lithography provides a way to prepare millions of protein nanopatterns with a few basic steps. For our nanopatterning strategy, organosilanes with methoxy and sulfhydryl groups were chosen as a surface template. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was selected as a model for patterning. Areas of 2-[methoxy (polyethyleneoxy)6-9propyl]trichlorosilane (MPT-silane) are effective as a matrix for resisting the attachment of proteins, whereas nanopatterns with sulfur groups provide reactive sites for binding linker groups to connect proteins. A protocol with particle lithography was designed to make a surface template of nanopatterns of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) surrounded by a methoxy terminated matrix. The sulfhydryl groups of the MPTMS nanopatterns were activated with a sulfosuccinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate linker. The activated regions of MPTMS furnished sites for binding GFP. Samples were characterized with atomic force microscopy after successive steps of the patterning protocol to evaluate the selectivity of protein binding. Direct views of the protein bound selectively to designated sites of MPTMS are presented, as evidence of robust and reproducible patterning. Nanoscale patterns of proteins can be used for surfaces of biochips and biosensors, and also for immunochemistry test platforms.

Particle Lithography Enables Fabrication of Multicomponent Nanostructures

Multicomponent nanostructures with individual geometries have attracted much attention because of their potential to carry out multiple functions synergistically. The current work reports a simple method using particle lithography to fabricate multicomponent nanostructures of metals, proteins, and organosiloxane molecules, each with its own geometry. Particle lithography is well-known for its capability to produce arrays of triangular-shaped nanostructures with novel optical properties. This paper extends the capability of particle lithography by combining a particle template in conjunction with surface chemistry to produce multicomponent nanostructures. The advantages and limitations of this approach will also be addressed.

Spatially selective surface platforms for binding fibrinogen prepared by particle lithography with organosilanes

We introduce an approach based on particle lithography to prepare spatially selective surface platforms of organosilanes that are suitable for nanoscale studies of protein binding. Particle lithography was applied for patterning fibrinogen, a plasma protein that has a major role in the clotting cascade for blood coagulation and wound healing. Surface nanopatterns of mercaptosilanes were designed as sites for the attachment of fibrinogen within a protein-resistant matrix of 2-[methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl] trichlorosilane (PEG-silane). Preparing site-selective surfaces was problematic in our studies, because of the self-reactive properties of PEG-organosilanes. Certain organosilanes presenting hydroxyl head groups will cross react to form mixed surface multi-layers. We developed a clever strategy with particle lithography using masks of silica mesospheres to protect small, discrete regions of the surface from cross reactions. Images acquired with atomic force microscopy (AFM) disclose that fibrinogen attached primarily to the surface areas presenting thiol head groups, which were surrounded by PEG-silane. The activity for binding anti-fibrinogen was further evaluated using ex situ AFM studies, confirming that after immobilization the fibrinogen nanopatterns retained capacity for binding immunoglobulin G. Studies with AFM provide advantages of achieving nanoscale resolution for detecting surface changes during steps of biochemical surface reactions, without requiring chemical modification of proteins or fluorescent labels.

Independently controlling protein dot size and spacing in particle lithography

Particle lithography is a relatively simple, inexpensive technique used to pattern inorganics, metals, polymers, and biological molecules on the micro- and nanometer scales. Previously, we used particle lithography to create hexagonal patterns of protein dots in a protein resistant background of methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-silane (mPEG-sil). In this work, we describe a simple heating procedure to overcome a potential limitation of particle lithography: the simultaneous change in feature size and center-to-center spacing as the diameter of the spheres used in the lithographic mask is changed. Uniform heating was used to make single-diameter protein patterns with dot sizes of approximately 2-4 or 2-8 μm, depending on the diameter of the spheres used in the lithographic mask, while differential heating was used to make a continuous gradient of dot sizes of approximately 1-9 μm on a single surface. We demonstrate the applicability of these substrates by observing the differences in neutrophil spreading on patterned and unpatterned protein coated surfaces.

Fabrication of protein dot arrays via particle lithography

The ability to pattern a surface with proteins on both the nanometer and the micrometer scale has attracted considerable interest due to its applications in the fields of biomaterials, biosensors, and cell adhesion. Here, we describe a simple particle lithography technique to fabricate substrates with hexagonally patterned dots of protein surrounded by a protein-repellent layer of poly(ethylene glycol). Using this bottom-up approach, dot arrays of three different proteins (fibrinogen, P-selectin, and human serum albumin) were fabricated. The size of the protein dots (450 nm to 1.1 microm) was independent of the protein immobilized but could be varied by changing the size of the latex spheres (diameter=2-10 microm) utilized in assembling the lithographic bead monolayer. These results suggest that this technique can be extended to other biomolecules and will be useful in applications where arrays of protein dots are desired.

Engineering the spatial selectivity of surfaces at the nanoscale using particle lithography combined with vapor deposition of organosilanes

Particle lithography is a practical approach to generate millions of organosilane nanostructures on various surfaces, without the need for vacuum environments or expensive instrumentation. This report describes a stepwise chemistry route to prepare organosilane nanostructures and then apply the patterns as a spatially selective foundation to attach gold nanoparticles. Sites with thiol terminal groups were sufficiently small to localize the attachment of clusters of 2-5 nanoparticles. Basic steps such as centrifuging, drying, heating, and rinsing were used to generate arrays of regular nanopatterns. Close-packed films of monodisperse latex spheres can be used as an evaporative mask to spatially direct the placement of nanoscopic amounts of water on surfaces. Vapor phase organosilanes deposit selectively at areas of the surface containing water residues to generate nanostructures with regular thickness, geometry, and periodicity as revealed in atomic force microscopy images. The area of contact underneath the mesospheres is effectively masked for later synthetic steps, providing exquisite control of surface coverage and local chemistry. By judicious selection in designing the terminal groups of organosilanes, surface sites can be engineered at the nanoscale for building more complex structures. The density of the nanopatterns and surface coverage scale predictably with the diameter of the mesoparticle masks. The examples presented definitively illustrate the capabilities of using the chemistry of molecularly thin films of organosilanes to spatially define the selectivity of surfaces at very small size scales.

Nanostructures of octadecyltrisiloxane self-assembled monolayers produced on Au111 using particle lithography

Preparing high-quality self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of organosilanes on conductive metal substrates such as gold is problematic because of the hydrophobic nature of the surface under ambient conditions. Trace amounts of water are required for a surface hydrolysis reaction to form siloxane bridges to the metal substrate. We describe an approach using sequential steps of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, particle lithography, and chemical vapor deposition of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) to successfully prepare silane nanostructures on Au111 surfaces. Pretreatment of gold films with UV irradiation renders the surface to be sufficiently hydrophilic for particle lithography. Close-packed films of monodisperse latex mesospheres provide an evaporative mask to spatially direct the placement of nanoscopic amounts of water on surfaces. Vapor-phase organosilanes deposit selectively at areas of the surface containing water residues to produce millions of nanopatterns with regular thickness, geometry, and periodicity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images reveal that OTS binding is localized to areas defined by water residues. The spacing between adjacent nanopatterns is determined by the periodicity of the latex mask; however, the dimensions of the nanostructures are confined to a narrow contact area of the water meniscus, which surrounds the base of the latex spheres. The siloxane nanostructures on Au111 furnish an excellent model surface for AFM characterizations, as demonstrated with current-sensing measurements.