Osteoprogenitor response to low-adhesion nanotopographies originally fabricated by electron beam lithography

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 1211 - 1218
• Main Authors: Hart, Andrew, Gadegaard, Nikolaj, Wilkinson, Chris D W, Oreffo, Richard O C, Dalby, Matthew J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01.06.2007
• Subjects: Adhesion; Adult Stem Cells - cytology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arrays; Biomedical materials; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Cell Adhesion; Cell migration; Cell spreading; Cells; Cells (biology); Cytoskeleton; Electron beam lithography; Female; Fluorescence; Humans; Injection molding; Lithography; Materials science; Nanostructures; Nickel; Osteoprogenitor cells; Polycarbonate; Progenitor cells; Pseudopodia; Pseudopodia - physiology; Stem cells; Substrates
• ISSN: 0957-4530; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-007-0157-7

It is considered that cells can use filopodia, or microspikes, to locate sites suitable for adhesion. This has been investigated using a number of mature cell types, but, to our knowledge, not progenitor cells. Chemical and topographical cues on the underlying substrate are a useful tool for producing defined features for cells to respond to. In this study, arrays of nanopits with different symmetries (square or hexagonal arrays with 120 nm diameters, 300 nm center-centre spacings) and osteoprogenitor cells were considered. The pits were fabricated by ultra-high precision electron-beam lithography and then reproduced in polycarbonate by injection moulding with a nickel stamp. Using scanning electron and fluorescence microscopies, the initial interactions of the cells via filopodia have been observed, as have subsequent adhesion and cytoskeletal formation. The results showed increased filopodia interaction with the surrounding nanoarchitecture leading to a decrease in cell spreading, focal adhesion formation and cytoskeletal organisation.