The effects of colloidal nanotopography on initial fibroblast adhesion and morphology

Wood, M.A., Wilkinson, C.D.W. and Curtis, A. (2006) The effects of colloidal nanotopography on initial fibroblast adhesion and morphology. IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience, 5(1), pp. 20-31. (doi: 10.1109/TNB.2005.864015)

Abstract

Colloidal lithography offers a simple, inexpensive method of producing irregular nanotopographies, a pattern not easily attainable utilizing conventional serial writing processes. Colloids with 20- or 50-nm diameter were utilized to produce such an irregular topography and were characterized by calculating the percentage area coverage of particles. Interparticle and nearest neighbor spacing were also assessed for the individual colloids in the pattern. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences between the number of fibroblasts adhering to planar, 20-, and 50-nm-diameter colloidal topographies, the number of fibroblasts adhering to the substrates at the time intervals studied, namely 20 min, 1 h, and 3 h and significant interaction between time and topography on fibroblast adhesion (P<0.01). Tukey tests were utilized for sensitive identification of the differences between the sample means and compounded ANOVA results. Cytoskeletal and general cell morphology were investigated on planar and colloidal substrates, and indicated cells in contact with irregular nanotopographies exhibit many peripheral protrusions while such protrusions are absent in cells on planar control surfaces. These protrusions are rich in microtubules on 20-nm-diameter colloidal surfaces while microfilaments are prevalent on 50-nm-diameter surfaces. Moreover, by 3 h, cells on the colloidal substrates initiate cell-cell adhesions, also absent in controls.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Actin and tubulin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and morphology, collodial lithography, fibroblasts, nanotopography.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wilkinson, Professor Christopher
• Authors: Wood, M.A., Wilkinson, C.D.W., and Curtis, A.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General); Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; University Centres > Glasgow Materials Research Initiative
• Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience
• Publisher: IEEE
• ISSN: 1536-1241
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 IEEE
• First Published: First published in IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience 5(1):20-31
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.