title: Adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts on cluster-assembled nanostructured carbon films: the role of surface morphology.
abstract: We have investigated the influence on adhesion and proliferation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts of the surface morphology of cluster assembled carbon films deposited by Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition. Nanostructured carbon films exhibit a multi-scale morphology, which resembles the surface structure of the extracellular matrix, and possess a high specific area, while being relatively smooth at all scales. Correlations between measured morphological parameters and adaptive cell response have been brought out. High specific area and smoothness appear to conceivably favour both the early attachment of plated cells and the long-term survival of adherent cells. Moreover, nano-structured carbon films affect the cells morphology as well as the extension and the number of the focal contacts.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Fisiologia Generale e Chimica Biologica Università di Milano, Via Trentacoste 2, 1-20134 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenardi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perego
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cassina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Podestà
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gualandris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinati
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorentini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bongiorno
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piserj
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vellea Sacchi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051379:Mice; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002244:Carbon