Cell interactions at the nanoscale: piezoelectric stimulation.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Endothelial cells play a crucial role in vascular health.
• Cellular responses to substrate topography are well-documented.
• The impact of mechanical vibrations on cellular behavior is an area of active research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of nanometric substrate vibrations on endothelial cells.
• To determine the role of vibration coherence and frequency in cellular responses.
• To explore the interplay between mechanical stimulation and nanotopography.

Main Methods:

• Endothelial cells were cultured on substrates subjected to controlled nanometric vibrations (1-50 Hz, 5-50 nm) using piezo actuators.
• Vibrations included periodic sinusoidal, white noise, and swept frequencies.
• Gene expression (endothelin-1, Kruppel-like factor 2) and cell adhesion were measured.
• Substrate nanometric patterning was also employed.

Main Results:

• Periodic sinusoidal vibrations significantly upregulated endothelin-1 and Kruppel-like factor 2 expression and increased cell adhesion.
• White noise vibrations did not elicit these responses, indicating the importance of coherent stimulation.
• Stimulations near or below seismic noise levels suggested potential stochastic resonance.
• Vibrational effects interacted with substrate nanometric patterning, influencing cell adhesion and gene expression.

Conclusions:

• Coherent nanometric vibrations are effective in modulating endothelial cell behavior.
• The findings highlight the critical role of vibration characteristics (coherence, frequency) in cellular mechanotransduction.
• Mechanical stimulation and nanotopography synergistically influence endothelial cell responses, offering new avenues for biomaterial design and therapeutic strategies.