Abstract
In this study we investigated the contact characteristics of human prostate cancer cells (PC3) on silicon micropillar arrays with complex shapes by using high-resolution confocal fluorescence microscopy techniques. These arrays consist of micropillars that are of various cross-sectional geometries which produce different deformation profiles in adherent cells. Fluorescence micrographs reveal that some DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained nuclei from cells attached to the pillars develop nanometer scale slits and contain low concentrations of DNA. The lengths of these slits, and their frequency of occurrence, were characterized for various cross-sectional geometries. These DNA-depleted features are only observed in locations below the pillar’s top surfaces. Results produced in this study indicate that surface topography can induce unique nanometer scale features in the PC3 cell.
Highlights
IntroductionThe recent development of vertically-aligned micro- and nano-pillar arrays for a range of biological applications, such as circulating tumor cell (CTC) capturing devices [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11], biosensors [12,13,14,15,16], and neural microprobe implants [17,18,19,20,21], have helped to stimulate active research initiatives in understanding how cells interact with these micro- and nanometer-scale pillars
Importantly, DAPI (4′,6(4for nuclear micrographs reveal a newMore type of topography-induced diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained nuclear micrographs reveal a new type of topography-induced feature at the nuclei locations
The separation distance between the hollow pillars is identical to the C-shaped structures of ~5 μm in order to reduce the uncertainties related to dynamic flow of material between the pillars
Summary
The recent development of vertically-aligned micro- and nano-pillar arrays for a range of biological applications, such as circulating tumor cell (CTC) capturing devices [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11], biosensors [12,13,14,15,16], and neural microprobe implants [17,18,19,20,21], have helped to stimulate active research initiatives in understanding how cells interact with these micro- and nanometer-scale pillars. Pan et al [22] cultured neonatal Sprague Dawley (SD) rat bone marrow stromal cells on poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) square-shaped micropillars and observed pillar-induced shape changes of the nuclei. They reported that the nuclei were severely deformed and would conform to the contours of the PLGA surface features. Hanson et al [4] evaluated the nuclear deformation of various cell types that showed different nuclear stiffness characteristics on nanopillars They showed that both the cell and nuclear membranes conformed to the shape of Materials 2017, 10, 892; doi:10.3390/ma10080892 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials
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 call
