title: Spatially controlled cell adhesion via micropatterned surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane).
abstract: Spatial control of cell growth on surfaces can be achieved by the selective deposition of molecules that influence cell adhesion. The fabrication of such substrates often relies upon photolithography and requires complex surface chemistry to anchor adhesive and inhibitory molecules. The production of simple, cost-effective substrates for cell patterning would benefit numerous areas of bioanalytical research including tissue engineering and biosensor development. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is routinely used as a biomedical implant material and as a substrate for microfluidic device fabrication; however, the low surface energy and hydrophobic nature of PDMS inhibits its bioactivity. We present a method for the surface modification of PDMS to promote localized cell adhesion and proliferation. Thin metal films are deposited onto PDMS through a physical mask in the presence of a gaseous plasma. This treatment generates topographical and chemical modifications of the polymer surface. Removal of the deposited metal exposes roughened PDMS regions enriched with hydrophilic oxygen-containing species. The morphology and chemical composition of the patterned substrates were assessed by optical and atomic force microscopies as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We observed a direct correlation between the surface modification of PDMS and the micropatterned adhesion of fibroblast cells. This simple protocol generates inexpensive, single-component substrates capable of directing cell attachment and growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patrito
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCague
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Nils O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D019556:COS Cells; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon