Microscale control of cell contact and spacing via three-component surface patterning.
The complexity of micropatterned cell constructs has been limited by difficulties in patterning more than two surface components on a culture substrate. Photolithography using multiple aligned masks is well established for generalized multicomponent patterning, but is often too harsh for biomolecules. We report a two-mask photolithographic process that is tuned to preserve bioactivity in patterns composed of covalently coupled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), adsorbed extracellular matrix protein (e.g., collagen I), and adsorbed serum proteins (e.g., vitronectin). Thereby, we pattern two cell types-primary hepatocytes and 3T3 fibroblasts-demonstrating control over contact and spacing (20-200 microm) between the two cell types for over one week. This method is applicable to the study of intercellular communication in cell biology and tissue engineering.
Hui
Elliot E
EE
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Bhatia
Sangeeta N
SN
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002450:Cell Communication; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols