Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) affects gene expression in PC12 cells differentiating into neuronal-like cells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cellular Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Microfluidic systems commonly use poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), unlike polystyrene (PS) typically used for cell culture.
• Polystyrene (PS) offers well-characterized cellular responses, whereas microfluidic materials have limited research.
• Investigating material effects on cellular behavior is crucial for microfluidic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of different microfluidic materials on PC12 cell differentiation into neuronal-like cells.
• To compare the effects of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and PMMA with PDMS on cell growth and differentiation.
• To analyze gene expression changes in PC12 cells cultured on various microfluidic materials.

Main Methods:

• PC12 cells were differentiated into neuronal-like cells on PS, PMMA, and PMMA with PDMS substrates.
• Cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and morphology were assessed.
• Gene expression analysis was performed to identify differential gene expression patterns.

Main Results:

• PC12 cell morphology, viability, and cell cycle distribution were similar across all tested materials (PS, PMMA, PMMA with PDMS) after differentiation.
• Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) induced differential expression in 41 genes compared to PS.
• PMMA with PDMS underneath resulted in significant differential gene expression in 677 genes compared to PS, impacting neuronal development and function markers.

Conclusions:

• Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has a minimal impact on PC12 cell gene expression during neuronal differentiation.
• Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) significantly influences gene expression, affecting neuronal cell development and function.
• Material choice in microfluidic chip fabrication critically impacts cellular responses and gene expression profiles.