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Surface-induced changes in protein adsorption and implications for cellular phenotypic responses to surface
Lorcan T Allen1, Miriam Tosetto, Ian S Miller
1UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Biomaterials
|February 8, 2006
Summary
Cellular response to biomaterials depends on the adsorbed protein layer, which is influenced by surface chemistry. Altering co-polymer composition changed protein adsorption, affecting cell behavior and signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Cellular responses to biomaterials are critical for biocompatibility.
- Material surface properties, protein adsorption, and cell behavior are interconnected but not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between surface hydrophobicity, protein adsorption, and cellular responses using thermoresponsive co-polymer films.
- To elucidate how altering co-polymer composition affects protein adsorption and subsequent cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of N-isopropylacrylamide-based co-polymer films with varying monomer ratios.
- Analysis of protein adsorption (albumin, fibronectin) from serum.
- Assessment of cell adhesion, morphology, cytoskeletal organization, migration, and intracellular signaling (FAK, ERK1/2 phosphorylation).
- Gene expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Differential cellular responses were observed only in the presence of serum.
- Co-polymer films showed altered protein adsorption profiles.
- Changes in protein adsorption correlated with significant alterations in cell adhesion, morphology, cytoskeletal organization, migration, and signaling.
- Reduced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) was noted on co-polymer films compared to tissue culture polystyrene (TCP).
- Surface-mediated cellular changes were linked to specific gene expression patterns.
Conclusions:
- Cellular response to co-polymer films is dictated by the surface-adsorbed protein layer.
- The composition of the adsorbed protein layer is determined by the co-polymer's surface chemistry.
- This study highlights the crucial role of surface chemistry in modulating protein adsorption and, consequently, cellular behavior on biomaterials.