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Amino Acid-Functionalized Polyelectrolyte Films as Bioactive Surfaces for Cell Adhesion
M S Leal1, X Briones1, V Villalobos2
1Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias , Universidad de Chile , Las Palmeras , 3425 Santiago , Chile.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 11, 2019
Summary
Polyelectrolyte surfaces functionalized with amino acids (PSMA-Gln, PSMA-Met, PSMA-Tyr) were created to study their effect on neuroblastoma cell adhesion. PSMA-Met surfaces promoted extended cell morphology, while PSMA-Gln and PSMA-Tyr surfaces resulted in rounded cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Developing novel biomaterials with tailored surface properties is crucial for controlling cellular behavior.
- Polyelectrolytes offer versatile platforms for surface modification due to their tunable chemical and physical characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of polyelectrolyte chemical functionality on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell adhesion.
- To evaluate how environmental parameters like pH and ionic strength influence polyelectrolyte adsorption and surface morphology.
- To correlate surface properties with cell morphology and adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of poly(styrene- alt-maleic anhydride) (PSMA) derivatives functionalized with l-glutamine, l-methionine, and l-tyrosine.
- Adsorption studies on modified silicon wafer surfaces under varying pH and ionic strength conditions.
- Surface characterization using contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Cell adhesion assays using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.
Main Results:
- Polyelectrolyte adsorption was highest at pH 4.0 and high ionic strength, particularly for PSMA-Gln and PSMA-Tyr films.
- Surface morphology varied, with PSMA-Met and PSMA-Tyr forming globular nanostructures and PSMA-Gln exhibiting a nanofibrous-like structure.
- SH-SY5Y cells on PSMA-Met showed well-extended, stellate morphologies, while cells on PSMA-Gln and PSMA-Tyr appeared rounded with fewer processes.
Conclusions:
- Surface characteristics of amino acid-functionalized polyelectrolytes can be modulated by chemical functionality and environmental factors.
- These modified surfaces provide a simple platform for controlling cell adhesion and morphology.
- This approach is valuable for developing biomaterials with tunable surface properties for biomedical applications.
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