Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
10:34
Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer
Published on: April 23, 2017
Issues of ligand accessibility and mobility in initial cell attachment
Dorota Thid1, Marta Bally, Karin Holm
1Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Göteborg, Sweden.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|October 9, 2007
Summary
Ligand mobility in extracellular matrix surfaces did not significantly impact initial cell attachment in vitro. Further research is needed to fully understand ligand mobility
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Lateral ligand mobility influences cell-cell adhesion molecules.
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) ligand mobility's effect on cell attachment is unexplored in vitro.
- Understanding ECM ligand mobility is crucial for cell engineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of ECM ligand mobility on cell attachment and functionality.
- To compare cell attachment on mobile versus non-mobile ECM ligands.
- To investigate ligand accessibility and antibody binding on different surface presentations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a novel poly-L-lysine-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(ethylene glycol)-IKVAV (PLL-g-PEG/PEG-IKVAV) polymer.
- Utilized quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) for characterization.
- Assessed initial attachment of adult hippocampal progenitor (AHP) cells on mobile and non-mobile IKVAV-functionalized surfaces.
Main Results:
- Both mobile and non-mobile IKVAV peptides were recognized by antibodies in a dose-dependent manner.
- A critical concentration of approximately 3 pmol/cm² IKVAV ligands was required for initial AHP cell attachment on both surface types.
- Little influence of IKVAV peptide mobility was observed on initial AHP cell attachment, though longer attachment times improved spread on PLL-g-PEG.
Conclusions:
- Lateral mobility of ECM-derived ligands appears to have minimal impact on initial progenitor cell attachment.
- Cell attachment strength may require longer incubation periods on non-mobile surfaces.
- Further studies should explore systematic tuning of ligand diffusion and compare responses of spreading versus non-spreading cells.
Related Concept Videos
02:40Ligand Binding Sites
Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
02:40Ligand Binding Sites
Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
00:49Ligand Binding and Linkage
Allosteric proteins have more than one ligand binding site; the binding of a ligand to any of these sites influences the binding of ligands to the other sites. When a protein is allosteric, its binding sites are called coupled or linked. In the case of enzymes, the site that binds to the substrate is known as the active site and the other site is known as the regulatory site. When a ligand binds to the regulatory site, this leads to conformational changes in the protein that can influence the...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.