Replica-mold nanopatterned PHEMA hydrogel surfaces for ophthalmic applications

Biomimicking native tissues and organs require the development of advanced hydrogels. The patterning of hydrogel surfaces may enhance the cellular functionality and therapeutic efficacy of implants. For example, nanopatterning of the intraocular lens (IOL) surface can suppress the upregulation of cytoskeleton proteins (actin and actinin) within the cells in contact with the IOL surface and, hence, prevent secondary cataracts causing blurry or opaque vision. Here we introduce a fast and efficient method for fabricating arrays consisting of millions of individual nanostructures on the hydrogel surface. In particular, we have prepared the randomly distributed nanopillars on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel using replica molding and show that the number, shape, and arrangement of nanostructures are fully adjustable. Characterization by atomic force microscopy revealed that all nanopillars were of similar shape, narrow size distribution, and without significant defects. In imprint lithography, choosing the appropriate hydrogel composition is critical. As hydrogels with imprinted nanostructures mimic the natural cell environment, they can find applications in fundamental cell biology research, e.g., they can tune cell attachment and inhibit or promote cell clustering by a specific arrangement of protrusive nanostructures on the hydrogel surface.