Bettinger C.J., Zhang Z., Gerecht S., Borenstein J.T., Langer R.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
Keywords: nanofabrication, nanotopography, tissue engineering
Controlling the morphology and function of cells using substrate nanotopography is a phenomenon that can be utilized in a variety of fields including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, we explored the possibility of using nanofabricated surfaces to control the function of endothelial cells to ultimately enhance in vitro vasculargenesis. We chose to culture endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates with ridge-groove geometries of approximately 600 nm in width. EPCs were found to exhibit reduced proliferation as observed by an increased doubling time from 16.2 ± 0.8 to 20.9 ± 1.9 h for cells grown on flat and nanotopographic substrates, respectively. EPCs cultured on nanotopographic substrates exhibited a faster velocity and enhanced directed migration. The average velocity of EPCs on nanotopographic and flat substrates was 0.80 ± 0.45 and 0.54 ± 0.27 um/min, respectively, while the effective displacement due to migration was 23.6 ± 12.1 and 15.6 ± 10.1 um. Lastly, an in vitro capillary tube formation assay induced the formation of larger, more organized vascular structures in EPCs cultured on nanotopographic (411 ± 209 µm) versus flat substrates (140 ± 35.6 µm). These results suggest substrate nanotopography could function as a tool for enhanced vasculargenesis.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2008: Life Sciences, Medicine & Bio Materials – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 222 - 225
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Materials Characterization & Imaging
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8504-4