title: Novel transparent nano- to micro-heterogeneous substrates for in-situ cell migration study.
abstract: Transparent substrates having heterogeneities ranging from nanometer to micrometer lateral length scale were fabricated to study cell migration. The surfaces were generated using thin films of block copolymers and homopolymer blends on ultra smooth transparent polyethylene terephthalate films. Results show that the lateral size scale of the surface heterogeneities affects fibroblast (NIH-3T3) adhesion, spreading and motility. More specifically, fibroblasts migrate faster on micron-sized than on nanometer-sized heterogeneities. Cell movements and morphology on the micron patterned surfaces resemble cells cultured in a 3D environment. These surfaces, therefore, can potentially be utilized as models to study cell behavior in physiologically relevant conditions which can add to our fundamental understanding of cell-substrate interactions and facilitate development of surfaces for medical devices.
authors.affiliation: Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Irene Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: J Angelo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D048430:Cell Shape; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers