Facile Fabrication of Hierarchically Thermoresponsive Binary Polymer Pattern for Controlled Cell Adhesion

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Developing versatile platforms for simultaneous capture and detection of normal and dysfunctional cells is crucial for advancing cellular mechanism studies, diagnostics, and therapies.
• Existing methods often require complex procedures like protecting groups or initiator backfilling, limiting efficiency and precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an original and effective method for fabricating binary polymer brush patterns for controlled cell adhesion.
• To create a versatile platform capable of distinguishing and interacting with both normal and dysfunctional cells on a single patterned surface.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of binary polymer brushes using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA) chains.
• Utilized a combination of surface-initiated photopolymerization and surface-activated free radical polymerization without protecting groups or backfilling.
• Demonstrated high-resolution patterning and controlled cell adhesion via thermoresponsiveness (PNIPAAm) and specific capture of dysfunctional cells (POEGMA).

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated precise and well-defined binary polymer patterns with high resolution using a facile method.
• PNIPAAm chains exhibited thermoresponsive cell capture and release capabilities.
• POEGMA chains demonstrated specific capture of dysfunctional cells, leading to temperature-induced switching of red blood cell (RBC) arrays from normal to hemolytic patterns.

Conclusions:

• The developed binary polymer brush platform offers a smart and versatile solution for controlled cell adhesion and detection.
• This novel platform opens new avenues for applications in microsensors, biochips, and bioassays, facilitating advanced diagnostics and cell-based therapies.