Materials control of the epigenetics underlying cell plasticity

Abstract

The dynamic epigenetic landscape directs gene expression patterns that dictate cellular form and function, and drive the assembly of cells into tissues. The high degree of plasticity in the epigenetic landscape of mammalian cells is directed by materials, which provide the context in which cells receive and integrate multivariate signals to programme the chromatin state towards specific functional outcomes. In this Review, we explore how materials guide the cellular epigenetic landscape and discuss how engineered materials target cell plasticity, particularly through dynamic changes in histone methylation and acetylation. After discussing findings in developmental biology and cancer research that link materials parameters to chromatin state, we highlight how cell culture materials that control ligand presentation, mechanics, topography and geometry have shown how materials cues and context influence chromatin state through mechanotransduction. Finally, we describe how tissue fabrication can control cellular plasticity to drive meaningful biological activities that may facilitate the assembly of cells and tissues into functional architectures. The dynamic epigenetic landscape directs gene expression patterns that regulate cellular form and function. Designer cell culture materials have shed light on how materials cues influence cellular plasticity through the epigenome and directed tissue-fabrication approaches that drive biological activities.