posted on 2021-09-03, 13:33authored byPanthihage
Ruvini L. Dabare, Akash Bachhuka, Rahul M. Visalakshan, Hanieh S. Shirazi, Kostya Ostriko, Louise E. Smith, Krasimir Vasilev
Cellular migration plays a vital
role in many physiological processes.
To elucidate the role of surface nanotopography on the downstream
signaling pathways underlying cell migration, model surfaces having
well-defined hill-like surface nanotopography and uniform surface
chemistry were designed and implemented using plasma polymerization
and covalent attachment of nanoparticles of predetermined size. A
scratch wound assay, immunostaining, and gene expression of focal
adhesion (FA) proteins were performed to determine the influence of
surface nanotopography on cell migration. The results of this study
demonstrate that the gap closure between cell monolayers is faster
on surfaces having greater nanoscale topography. The phenomenon is
predominantly driven by cell migration and was independent from cell
proliferation. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of proteins
involved in the signaling pathways underlying cell migration showed
significant modulation by surface nanotopography. Specifically, focal
adhesion sites decreased with the increase in surface nanotopography
scale while the expression of FA proteins increased. This implies
that nanotopography mediated modulation of cell migration is directly
governed by the recruitment of receptor and adapter proteins responsible
for cell-surface interaction. The results of this study indicate that
biomaterial devices and constructs having rationally designed surface
nanotopography and chemistry could be utilized to regulate wound healing
and tissue regeneration.