3D Printing of Large Areas of Highly Ordered Submicron Patterns for Modulating Cell Behavior

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Cellular Mechanics
• Nanofabrication

Background:

• Precise control over large-area, complex topographies is crucial for studying cell behavior on patterned surfaces.
• Direct laser writing (DLW) offers versatile 3D fabrication but needs enhanced accuracy and reproducibility for submicron features over large areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the uniformity and reduce fabrication time of submicron patterns using DLW.
• To investigate the impact of processing parameters on submicron pillar characteristics and cell responses.

Main Methods:

• Optimized DLW parameters, including reducing the writing field to 33 × 33 μm², to fabricate uniform submicron pillars over a 4 mm² area.
• Assessed pillar dimensions, uniformity, Young's modulus, and surface wettability.
• Evaluated cytocompatibility using preosteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1), focusing on morphology, proliferation, cytoskeletal organization, and cellular elastic modulus.

Main Results:

• Decreasing the writing field significantly enhanced the uniformity of submicron pillars fabricated in a single step.
• Cells cultured on submicron pillars exhibited polarized morphology and increased nuclear-region Young's modulus compared to flat surfaces.
• The IP-L780 resin proved cytocompatible, supporting cell growth and organization on the fabricated patterns.

Conclusions:

• DLW can reliably produce uniform submicron patterns over large areas, improving fabrication efficiency.
• Submicron pillar topographies modulate cell morphology and mechanical properties, demonstrating cytocompatibility.
• This method enables the systematic study of how precisely controlled submicron features influence cellular functions.