Heterotypic cell-cell interaction on micropatterned surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to study the influence of chemical and topographical signals on cell behavior and to obtain a heterotypic cell-cell interaction on microstructured domains.


METHODS
The polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (Hyal) was photoimmobilized on glass surfaces in order to obtain a pattern with squares and rectangles of different dimensions and chemistry. The microstructured surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The behavior of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) and human tumoral dermal fibroblasts (C54) was investigated on these micropatterned surfaces by adhesion studies. Moreover heterotypic interaction among C54 and HCAEC adherent on patterned surfaces was evaluated by time-lapse video microscopy


RESULTS
Surface analysis revealed the presence of a pattern consisting of alternating glass and Hyal microstructures whose dimensions decreased from the center to the edge of the sample. Neither HCAEC nor C54 adhered to the immobilized Hyal but both adapted their shape to the different sizes of the glass squares and rectangles. The number of adherent cells depended on the dimensions of both the glass domains and the nuclei of the cells. Co-cultured C54 on HCAEC patterned surfaces showed a heterotypic cell-cell interaction in the same chemical and topographic domain.


CONCLUSIONS
A heterotypic cell-cell interaction occurred in the same chemical and topographic micro-domains but in narrow areas only. Moreover, the number of cells adhering to the glass domains and cell morphology depended on the dimensions of both adhesive areas and cell nuclei.
Department of Pure and Applied Medicinal Chemistry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. lamponi@unisi.it
Stefania
S
Lamponi
Clara
C
Di Canio
Rolando
R
Barbucci
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid