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Fabrication of a Biomimetic Nano-Matrix with Janus Base Nanotubes and Fibronectin for Stem Cell Adhesion
Published on: May 10, 2020
Fibronectin distribution on demixed nanoscale topographies
Manuel Pérez-Garnes1, Cristina González-García, David Moratal
1Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia - Spain.
The International Journal of Artificial Organs
|February 8, 2011
Summary
Surface nanotopography influences fibronectin adsorption and cell adhesion. Nanoscale features affect protein distribution, impacting focal adhesion plaque size and cell attachment. This research clarifies cell-material interactions at the nanoscale.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Surface nanotopography is known to influence cell behavior, including adhesion and differentiation.
- Understanding cell-material interactions requires investigating the role of intermediate layers, such as adsorbed proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how nanoscale topography affects fibronectin (FN) adsorption.
- To investigate the subsequent impact of FN adsorption on cell adhesion.
- To rationalize cell-material interactions by examining the state of adsorbed fibronectin.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nanotopographic surfaces using polymer blends (PLLA and PS) via high-speed spin-casting.
- Adsorption of fibronectin (FN) onto various nanotopographies.
- Direct observation and quantification of protein distribution using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and image analysis.
- Immunostaining and quantification of focal adhesion protein (vinculin) using image analysis.
Main Results:
- Nanoscale domains (3-30 nm height) were created by altering polymer blend composition.
- Fibronectin preferentially adsorbed onto the peaks of nanoisland topographies, particularly on surfaces not promoting cell adhesion.
- Protein distribution influenced focal adhesion plaque size, with larger plaques observed on surfaces exhibiting even fibronectin distribution.
Conclusions:
- Surface nanotopography is a critical material property that modulates protein adsorption.
- The distribution of adsorbed fibronectin on nanotopographic surfaces correlates with initial cell adhesion, specifically the size of focal adhesion plaques.

