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Hydrophobic pp-HMDSO Coating for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
Marina Rakhmanova1, Anastasia Leonteva2,1, Maxim Chagin3
1Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Modifying polystyrene surfaces with plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane (pp-HMDSO) films enhances biocompatibility. This hydrophobic coating promotes stable three-dimensional (3D) cell spheroid formation for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biomaterial surface interactions are crucial for tissue engineering and 3D cell culture.
- Standard polystyrene surfaces may not optimally support desired cellular behaviors.
- Developing advanced surface modifications is key to controlling cell growth and organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To modify polystyrene surfaces using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane (pp-HMDSO) films.
- To investigate the effect of these pp-HMDSO coatings on cell biocompatibility and the formation of 3D cellular structures.
- To evaluate the potential of these modified surfaces for advanced 3D cell culturing.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of pp-HMDSO.
- Comprehensive surface characterization using SEM, EDS, XPS, FTIR, AFM, contact angle, and SFE analysis.
- Biological evaluation using U-87 MG (glioblastoma) and HMC3 (microglia) cell lines to assess cell adhesion, viability, and spheroid formation.
Main Results:
- pp-HMDSO coatings created a hydrophobic surface, promoting uniform cell repulsion and intercellular interactions.
- On modified surfaces, U-87 MG cells formed stable spheroids, unlike atypical adhesion and cell death on untreated polystyrene.
- HMC3 cells exhibited more intense and uniform spheroid formation on pp-HMDSO coatings compared to unmodified surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Plasma-polymerized HMDSO films significantly enhance surface properties for cell culture.
- Hydrophobic pp-HMDSO coatings effectively stimulate the formation of uniform 3D cellular spheroids.
- This approach offers a scalable platform for creating advanced biomaterials tailored for 3D cell culturing and tissue engineering.
