Polyelectrolyte multilayers generated in a microfluidic device with pH gradients direct adhesion and movement of cells

Kirchhof, K., Andar, A., Yin, H.B. , Gadegaard, N. , Riehle, M.O. and Groth, T. (2011) Polyelectrolyte multilayers generated in a microfluidic device with pH gradients direct adhesion and movement of cells. Lab on a Chip, 11(19), pp. 3326-3335. (doi: 10.1039/C1LC20408D)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C1LC20408D

Abstract

In this study, multilayers from polyethylene imine, heparin and chitosan are prepared at three different pH values of 5, 7 and 9. Water contact angle and quartz microbalance measurements show that resulting multilayers differ in terms of wetting behaviour, layer mass and mechanical properties. The multilayer is then formed within a gradient generation microfluidic (mu FL) device. Polyethylene imine or heparin solutions of pH 5 are introduced into one inlet and the same solutions but at pH 9 into another inlet of the mu FL device. The pH gradient established during the multilayer formation can be visualized inside the microchamber by pH sensitive fluorophores and confocal laser scanning microscopy. From this setup it is expected that properties of multilayers displayed at distinct pH values can be realised in a gradient manner inside the mu FL device. Behaviour of the osteoblast cell line MG-63 seeded and cultured on top of multilayers created inside the mFL device support this hypothesis. It is observed that more cells adhere and spread on multilayers build-up at the basic side of the mu FL channel, while those cells on top of multilayers built at pH 5 are fewer and smaller. These results are consistent with the behaviour of MG-63 cells seeded on multilayers formed at discrete pH values. It is particularly interesting to see that cells start to migrate from multilayers built at pH 5 to those built at pH 9 during 6 h of culture. Overall, the presented multilayer formation setup applying pH gradients leads to surfaces that promote migration of cells.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Yin, Professor Huabing and Riehle, Dr Mathis and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
Authors: Kirchhof, K., Andar, A., Yin, H.B., Gadegaard, N., Riehle, M.O., and Groth, T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
Journal Name:Lab on a Chip
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:1473-0197
ISSN (Online):1473-0189
Published Online:18 August 2011

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record