Abstract
In addition to serving as a physical support, the extracellular matrix (ECM) actively influences cell behavior. However, the definitive effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cell behavior remain obscure. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cellular physiology using the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 as a model. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different chemical modifications, including methyl (-CH3), hydroxyl (-OH), amino (-NH2), carboxyl (-COOH), and mercapto (-SH) groups, were used as microenvironmental models to explore the effects of different structures on SKOV-3 cells. The cell morphology, cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, and functional alterations in cancer cells cultured on different SAMs were analyzed. The results showed that SKOV-3 cells cultured on -NH2surfaces exhibited the largest contact area, whereas those on -CH3surfaces exhibited the smallest contact area and mostly rounded morphologies. Additionally, -NH2and -COOH promoted cell proliferation and adhesion, whereas CH3inhibited adhesion, leading to G1 arrest during the cell cycle and resulting in cell apoptosis. This study may provide useful information for reconstruction of the ECM and for controlling cell behavior in related areas of study.
Highlights
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of biological macromolecules that surrounds cells within tissues
This study revealed that the morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and apoptosis of SKOV-3 cells differed in response to different chemical groups
The water contact angle measurements revealed that -CH3 groups cause surfaces to be hydrophobic and that -NH2 and -COOH cause them to be moderately wettable, whereas -OH-modified surfaces are the most hydrophilic
Summary
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of biological macromolecules that surrounds cells within tissues. In addition to serving as a physical support, the ECM actively influences cell behavior by providing sites for cell adhesion, establishing soluble factor gradients, and forming interfaces between different cell types within a tissue [1, 2]. A unique feature of SAMs compared with traditional culture substrates, is the fact that functionalized alkane thiolates (terminated with a wide variety of chemical functionalities) can be readily synthesized and efficiently packed into SAMs on Au [7]. This chemical variability has provided a unique tool to probe the influence of biomaterial surface chemistry on protein adsorption and cell interactions with adsorbed proteins.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
