Nano- and microstructured materials for in vitro studies of the physiology of vascular cells.

Dieter Kaufmann,Adria Sales,Ralf Kemkemer,Sarah A Biela,Hao Chen,Alexandra M Greiner

doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.155

Abstract

The extracellular environment of vascular cells in vivo is complex in its chemical composition, physical properties, and architecture. Consequently, it has been a great challenge to study vascular cell responses in vitro, either to understand their interaction with their native environment or to investigate their interaction with artificial structures such as implant surfaces. New procedures and techniques from materials science to fabricate bio-scaffolds and surfaces have enabled novel studies of vascular cell responses under well-defined, controllable culture conditions. These advancements are paving the way for a deeper understanding of vascular cell biology and materials–cell interaction. Here, we review previous work focusing on the interaction of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) with materials having micro- and nanostructured surfaces. We summarize fabrication techniques for surface topographies, materials, geometries, biochemical functionalization, and mechanical properties of such materials. Furthermore, various studies on vascular cell behavior and their biological responses to micro- and nanostructured surfaces are reviewed. Emphasis is given to studies of cell morphology and motility, cell proliferation, the cytoskeleton and cell-matrix adhesions, and signal transduction pathways of vascular cells. We finalize with a short outlook on potential interesting future studies.

Highlights

Cells adhering to biomaterials are influenced by the surface topography, the surface chemistry and the mechanical properties of the substrate (Figure 1)
We review previous work focusing on the interaction of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) with materials having micro- and nanostructured surfaces
We provide an overview of materials and important micro- and nanofabrication techniques that have been used for the fabrication of appropriate substrates for in vitro studies with vascular cells

Summary

Introduction

Cells adhering to biomaterials are influenced by the surface topography, the surface chemistry and the mechanical properties of the substrate (Figure 1). The detailed understanding of the responses of ECs and SMCs to different physical and chemical properties of an adhesive surface may lead to a better understanding of their biology and the origin of vascular diseases and malfunctions. Such knowledge will be supportive for the adequate and successful design and development of medical implants, e.g., stents. We provide an overview of materials and important micro- and nanofabrication techniques that have been used for the fabrication of appropriate substrates for in vitro studies with vascular cells. In the last section of this review, we evaluate and summarize reports about studies of vascular cells interaction with micro/nanostructured surfaces

Fabrication of micro- and nanopatterned substrates for cell biology studies

Conclusion