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The effect of elastomer chain flexibility on protein adsorption
Moira C Vyner1, Lina Liu, Heather D Sheardown
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
Biomaterials
|September 17, 2013
Summary
Cell behavior is influenced by material stiffness. We found that softer materials with higher water content promote fibronectin adsorption and alter protein conformation, impacting cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Cellular responses vary with substrate stiffness.
- The mechanism of cell mechanosensing remains unclear.
- Softer poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) elastomers enhance smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of protein adsorption in cell response to substrate stiffness.
- Determine how elastomer crosslink density affects protein adsorption and conformation.
- Elucidate the mechanism by which cells sense substrate stiffness.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized elastomers with varying crosslink densities.
- Measured protein adsorption (HSA, IgG, fibronectin, vitronectin, serum) using layer mass.
- Analyzed viscoelastic properties (layer shear moduli) and surface water content (ATR-FTIR).
Main Results:
- Lower crosslink density elastomers showed increased fibronectin adsorption and higher surface water content.
- Higher crosslink density elastomers showed increased IgG adsorption.
- Differences in protein layer shear moduli indicated altered protein conformation on surfaces.
- Increased surface water on softer elastomers may enhance protein adsorption and influence cell behavior.
Conclusions:
- Substrate stiffness influences protein adsorption and conformation.
- Surface water content on elastomers plays a role in protein adsorption.
- These protein-level changes likely mediate the observed differences in cell behavior and proliferation.
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