Regiospecific control of protein expression in cells cultured on two-component counter gradients of extracellular matrix proteins.
This work describes the use of microfluidic tools to generate covalently immobilized counter gradients of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins laminin and collagen I. Using these platforms, we demonstrate control of the expression levels of two proteins linked to cell cycle progression by virtue of the spatial location of cells on the gradients, and hence by the local ECM environments in these devices. In contrast to physisorbed gradients, covalently immobilized protein patterns preserved the gradient fidelity, making long term cell studies feasible. This method of precisely controlling local cell environments is simple and broadly portable to other cell types and to other ECM proteins or soluble factors. Our approach promises to enable new investigations in cell biology that will contribute to the establishment of biological design rules for controlling cell growth, differentiation, and function.
Gunawan
Rico C
RC
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Matthews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Choban
Eric R
ER
Conour
John E
JE
Silvestre
Jonathan
J
Schook
Lawrence B
LB
Gaskins
H Rex
HR
Leckband
Deborah E
DE
Kenis
Paul J A
PJ
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D051381:Rats; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D007797:Laminin; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen