A dual gradient assay for the parametric analysis of cell-surface interactions

Reynolds, P.M. , Pedersen, R.H., Riehle, M.O. and Gadegaard, N. (2012) A dual gradient assay for the parametric analysis of cell-surface interactions. Small, 8(16), pp. 2541-2547. (doi: 10.1002/smll.201200235)

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Abstract

Cellular response to microgrooves is addressed using a new assay format, comprising orthogonal gradients of continuously varied groove pitch and depth. Dual layer etch masks are created using a combination of micropatterning and plasma polymer deposition. A silicon substrate with a constant groove width of 8 μm and with ridge width increasing from 8 μm in 0.5 μm steps across 10 mm is fabricated by photolithography. A plasma-polymerized hexane film which is 120 nm thick at one end of these grooves, and 10 nm at the other, is deposited under a diffusion mask. Reactive etching of the patterned sample transfers a gradient of groove pitch and groove depth into the silicon substrate. A silicon master with a gradient of groove depth spanning more than two orders of magnitude (less than 10 nm to over 1000 nm) is used to create an injection molding inlay for mass replication of the screening topography. Polycarbonate replicas are molded for use in cell culture studies, and the functionality of the topography as a high-throughput screening platform is investigated. The response of MDCK, h-TERT fibroblasts, and LE2 endothelial cells is examined, in terms of attachment and morphological response to the variation in topographical cues, with the aim of pinpointing the optimal combination of groove pitch and depth to elicit a tailored response from each cell type. When the range of topographical features screened on a single substrate is considered, this new assay represents a significant step forward in the parametric design and analysis of topographical cues at the biomaterial interface.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Riehle, Dr Mathis and Reynolds, Dr Paul and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
Authors: Reynolds, P.M., Pedersen, R.H., Riehle, M.O., and Gadegaard, N.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Small
ISSN:1613-6810
ISSN (Online):1613-6829
Published Online:08 June 2012

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