Abstract
Biomaterial-driven modulation of cell adhesion and migration is a challenging aspect of tissue engineering. Here, we investigated the impact of surface-bound microgel arrays with variable geometry and adjustable cross-linking properties on cell adhesion and migration. We show that cell migration is inversely correlated with microgel array spacing, whereas directionality increases as array spacing increases. Focal adhesion dynamics is also modulated by microgel topography resulting in less dynamic focal adhesions on surface-bound microgels. Microgels also modulate the motility and adhesion of Sertoli cells used as a model for cell migration and adhesion. Both focal adhesion dynamics and speed are reduced on microgels. Interestingly, Gas2L1, a component of the cytoskeleton that mediates the interaction between microtubules and microfilaments, is dispensable for the regulation of cell adhesion and migration on microgels. Finally, increasing microgel cross-linking causes a clear reduction of focal adhesion turnover in Sertoli cells. These findings not only show that spacing and rigidity of surface-grafted microgels arrays can be effectively used to modulate cell adhesion and motility of diverse cellular systems, but they also form the basis for future developments in the fields of medicine and tissue engineering.
Highlights
Biomaterials are often use as guidance structures in a variety of applications
Since the generation of microgel arrays with smaller spacing requires microgels with a small hydrodynamic diameter, we initially concentrated our efforts on setting up a method that would readily allow the control of this parameter
The hydrodynamic diameters of microgels were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) (Table 1)
Summary
Biomaterials are often use as guidance structures in a variety of applications. Biomaterials can be used to deliver pharmaceutically active compounds or cells to specific locations and can contribute to the repair of damaged tissues. Biomaterials can mimic the physical and chemical features of the extracellular matrix supporting wound healing [1,2,3,4]. Biomaterial chemistry and topography are often exploited to regulate numerous cellular processes including differentiation, cell adhesion and migration as well as dendritic cell function [5,6,7,8,9,10,11].
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