title: Sub-micron lateral topography affects endothelial migration by modulation of focal adhesion dynamics.
abstract: Through the interaction with topographical features, endothelial cells tune their ability to populate target substrates, both in vivo and in vitro. Basal textures interfere with the establishment and maturation of focal adhesions (FAs) thus inducing specific cell-polarization patterns and regulating a plethora of cell activities that govern the overall endothelial function. In this study, we analyze the effect of topographical features on FAs in primary human endothelial cells. Reported data demonstrate a functional link between FA dynamics and cell polarization and spreading on structured substrates presenting variable lateral feature size. Our results reveal that gratings with 2 µm lateral periodicity maximize contact guidance. The effect is linked to the dynamical state of FAs. We argue that these results are readily applicable to the rational design of active surfaces at the interface with the blood stream.
authors.affiliation: NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro, 12, I-56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meucci
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacchetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klingauf
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beltram
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poulikakos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials