title: Tuning cell adhesive properties via layer-by-layer assembly of chitosan and alginate.
abstract: Understanding the mechanisms controlling cell-multilayer film interactions is crucial to the successful engineering of these coatings for biotechnological and biomedical applications. Herein, we present a strategy to tune the cell adhesive properties of multilayers based on marine polysaccharides with and without cross-linking and/or coating with extracellular matrix proteins. Chemical cross-linking of multilayers improved mechanical properties of the coatings but also elicited changes in surface chemistry that alter the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We evaluated a strategy to decouple the mechanical and chemical properties of these films, enabling the transition from cell-adhesive to cell-resistant multilayers. Addition of chitosan/alginate multilayers on top of cross-linked films decreased endothelial cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation to similar levels as uncross-linked films. Our findings highlight the key role of surface chemistry in cell-multilayer film interactions, and these engineered nanocoatings represent a tunable model of cell adhesive and non-adhesive multilayered films.
  
  
  
  Multilayered films based on marine-derived polysaccharides were obtained by layer-by-layer (LbL). Biological tests with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed the potential of these films to tailor cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation. These multilayered films promise to be versatile and tunable model of cell adhesive and non-adhesive films.
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-243 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-243 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
authors.forename: Andrés J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-243 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. Electronic address: jmano@ua.pt.
authors.forename: João F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mano
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057219:Biofouling; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry; D005453:Fluorescence; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D005353:Fibronectins; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Cell adhesion; Cross-linking; Fibronectin; Surface chemistry; Tissue engineering