Hybrid Biomimetic Interfaces Integrating Supported Lipid Bilayers with Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Components

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Developing biomimetic platforms is crucial for understanding cell behavior.
• Existing platforms often fail to replicate the complex extracellular matrix (ECM) environment.
• Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) offers a promising source of native tissue components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To functionalize supported phospholipid bilayers with dECM components.
• To create a biomimetic interface that mimics the cell surface environment.
• To evaluate the platform's ability to support cell attachment, survival, and function.

Main Methods:

• Decellularization of mouse adipose tissue to isolate ECM components (collagen, fibronectin, GAGs).
• Covalent attachment of dECM to phospholipid bilayers using amine coupling chemistry.
• Monitoring bilayer formation and dECM conjugation via quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D).
• Assessing membrane fluidity using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).

Main Results:

• Successful functionalization of supported lipid bilayers with dECM components.
• Confirmation of bilayer fluidity after dECM conjugation.
• Demonstrated attachment and survival of human hepatocyte (Huh 7.5) cells on the hybrid interface.
• Maintenance of hepatocellular function in the cultured cells.
• The platform enabled monitoring of cell-binding ligand and growth factor receptor organization.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid biomimetic interface effectively mimics the cell surface environment.
• This platform supports hepatocyte attachment, survival, and function.
• It provides a valuable tool for studying cellular responses to complex ECM biochemical profiles and ligand organization.