title: Effects of SiO2micropillar arrays on endothelial cells' morphology.
abstract: Native tissues are highly organised at the microscale, so that modulating scaffold microarchitecture is a potent tool to mimic natural tissue structures. Moreover, three-dimensional microtopographical features are now being used to elucidate how extracellular physical cues can directly modulate cell behaviour and organise complex cellular processes such as cell differentiation and tissue organisation. Recent advances in microtechnology have allowed the development of platforms that can be used to further understand and control the complex interactions occurring between biointerfaces and living cells. In this paper, we discuss the use of three-dimensional microstructured substrates such as silicon dioxide micropillars, to interface with living cells. Human aortic endothelial cells were used to assess the biocompatibility of these substrates. Methodological investigations were performed to determine the influence of substrate topography on cell adhesion and growth. The changes on cell spreading and cell morphology induced by the substrates were qualified and quantified using scanning electron and fluorescence confocal microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Nano-electronic and Photonic Systems, Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica, Elèctrica i Automàtica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Formentín
authors.affiliation: Unit of Lipids and Atherosclerosis Research, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Úrsula
authors.initials: Ú
authors.lastname: Catalán
authors.affiliation: Nano-electronic and Photonic Systems, Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica, Elèctrica i Automàtica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alba
authors.affiliation: Unit of Lipids and Atherosclerosis Research, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernández-Castillejo
authors.affiliation: Unit of Lipids and Atherosclerosis Research, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solà
authors.affiliation: Nano-electronic and Photonic Systems, Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica, Elèctrica i Automàtica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pallarès
authors.affiliation: Nano-electronic and Photonic Systems, Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica, Elèctrica i Automàtica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain. Electronic address: lluis.marsal@urv.cat.
authors.forename: Lluís F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Marsal
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001709:Biotechnology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Biomaterial; Cell morphology; HAEC; Micropillar; Silicon dioxide