Biomacromolecules electrostatic self-assembly on 3-dimensional tissue engineering scaffold

A poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) was employed to obtain a stable positively charged surface on a poly(D,L-lactide) (PDL-LA) tissue engineering scaffold. An extracellular matrix (ECM)-like biomacromolecule, gelatin, was selected as polyelectrolyte and deposit alternately with PEI on the activated PDL-LA scaffold via ESA technique. The zeta-potential result showed alternating charge of polyelectrolytes (PEI/gelatin) layering on PDL-LA microspheres. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement further verified the gradual deposition of PEI/gelatin on the PDL-LA thin film. The combination of PEI aminolysis and the layer-by-layer technique was then explored to construct gelatin coating onto the 3-D porous PDL-LA scaffold. Scanning electronic microscopy showed that there is no notable difference between modified and unmodified PLA scaffolds, with regard to the porosity, pore diameter, and scaffold integration. The dual-tunnel confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated uniform gelatin distribution on the inner surface of the 3-D porous scaffold. The gradual build-up of protein layer on scaffold was investigated by radioiodination technique. Chondrocyte was chosen to test the cell behavior on modified and unmodified PDL-LA scaffolds. The results of the cell viability, total intracellular protein content, and cell morphology on the PEI/gelatin multilayers modified PDL-LA scaffold showed to promote chondrocyte growth. Comparing conventional coating methods, polyelectrolyte multilayers are easy and stable to prepare. It may be a promising choice for the surface modification of complex biomedical devices. These very flexible systems allow broad medical applications for drug delivery and tissue engineering.     

Patterning of diverse mammalian cell types in serum free medium with photoablation

Integration of living cells with novel microdevices requires the development of innovative technologies for manipulating cells. Chemical surface patterning has been proven as an effective method to control the attachment and growth of diverse cell populations. Patterning polyelectrolyte multilayers through the combination of layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique and photolithography offer a simple, versatile, and silicon compatible approach that overcomes chemical surface patterning limitations, such as short‐term stability and low‐protein adsorption resistance. In this study, direct photolithographic patterning of two types of multilayers, PAA (poly acrylic acid)/PAAm (poly acryl amide) and PAA/PAH (poly allyl amine hydrochloride), were developed to pattern mammalian neuronal, skeletal, and cardiac muscle cells. For all studied cell types, PAA/PAAm multilayers behaved as a cytophobic surface, completely preventing cell attachment. In contrast, PAA/PAH multilayers have shown a cell‐selective behavior, promoting the attachment and growth of neuronal cells (embryonic rat hippocampal and NG108‐15 cells) to a greater extent, while providing little attachment for neonatal rat cardiac and skeletal muscle cells (C2C12 cell line). PAA/PAAm multilayer cellular patterns have also shown a remarkable protein adsorption resistance. Protein adsorption protocols commonly used for surface treatment in cell culture did not compromise the cell attachment inhibiting feature of the PAA/PAAm multilayer patterns. The combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer patterns with different adsorbed proteins could expand the applicability of this technology to cell types that require specific proteins either on the surface or in the medium for attachment or differentiation, and could not be patterned using the traditional methods. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

Chondrocyte-alginate constructs with or without TGF-β1 produces superior extracellular matrix expression than monolayer cultures

Tissue engineering approaches often require expansion of cell numbers in vitro to accelerate tissue regenerative processes. Although several studies have used this technique for therapeutic purposes, a major concern involving the use of isolated chondrocyte culture is the reduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expressed due to the transfer of cells from the normal physiological milieu to the artificial 2D environment provided by the cell culture flasks. To overcome this issue, the use of alginate hydrogel beads as a substrate in chondrocyte cultures has been suggested. However, the resultant characteristics of cells embedded in this bead is elusive. To elucidate this, a study using chondrocytes isolated from rabbit knee articular cartilage expanded in vitro as monolayer and chondrocyte-alginate constructs was conducted. Immunohistochemical evaluation and ECM distribution was examined with or without transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) supplement to determine the ability of cells to express major chondrogenic proteins in these environments. Histological examination followed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was performed to determine the morphology and the ultrastructural characteristics of these cells. Results demonstrated a significant increase in glycosaminoglycan/mg protein levels in chondrocyte cultures grown in alginate construct than in monolayer cultures. In addition, an abundance of ECM protein distribution surrounding chondrocytes cultured in alginate hydrogel was observed. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that the use of alginate hydrogel beads in chondrocyte cultures with or without TGF-β1 supplement provided superior ECM expression than monolayer cultures.     

Lactate dehydrogenase in an interpolyelectrolyte complex. Function and stability

A new method for encapsulating enzymes by multilayer polyelectrolyte coating is proposed. The method consists in a stepwise adsorption of polyelectrolytes from solution onto protein aggregates formed by salting out the proteins in highly concentrated salt solutions. Polystyrene sulfonate and fluorescence-labeled polyalylamine were used for capsule formation. The size of lactate dehydrogenase aggregates covered by four layer pairs of electrolytes was 1-5 microns, as indicated by fluorescence microscopy. The catalytic characteristics and stability of pig muscle lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.13) incapsulated in multilayer electrolyte complex obtained by this method were studied. It was found that the affinity of the substrate pyruvate for the enzyme in the polyelectrolyte complex (K(M)) did not essentially change as compared with the free enzyme. Incapsulated lactate dehydrogenase showed the following features that distinguish it from the free form: (1) the lifetime in diluted solutions increases from 30 min (without capsules) to 1-2 days (in capsules); (2) a higher stability to basic denaturation (up to pH 10); and (3) the absence of substrate inhibition of enzyme in the polyelectrolyte complex. The changes in the catalytic characteristics of incapsulated lactate dehydrogenase are discussed in terms of an increase in effective pK values of amino acid perturbed by polyelectrolyte coating of enzyme.     

Collagen microcarrier spinner culture promotes osteoblast proliferation and synthesis of matrix proteins

In vitro propagation of osteoblasts in three-dimensional culture has been explored as a means of cell line expansion and tissue engineering purposes. Studies investigating optimal culture conditions are being conducted to produce bone-like material. This study demonstrates the use of collagen microcarrier beads as a substrate for three-dimensional cell culture. We have earlier reported that microcarriers consisting of cross-linked type I collagen support chondrocyte proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated the use of collagen microcarriers to propagate human trabecular bone-derived osteoblasts. Aggregation of cell-seeded microcarriers and production of extracellular matrix-like material were observed after 5 d in culture. Expression of extracellular matrix proteins osteocalcin, osteopontin, and type I collagen was confirmed by messenger ribonucleic acid analysis, radioimmunoassay, and Western blot analysis. The efficient recovery of viable cells was achieved by collagenase digestion of the cell-seeded microcarriers. The collagen microcarrier spinner culture system provides an efficient method to amplify large numbers of healthy functional cells that can be subsequently used for further in vitro or transplantation studies.     

Effect of substrate mechanics on chondrocyte adhesion to modified alginate surfaces

This study characterized the attachment of chondrocytes to RGD-functionalized alginate by examining the effect of substrate stiffness on cell attachment and morphology. Bovine chondrocytes were added to wells coated with 2% alginate or RGD-alginate. The alginate was crosslinked with divalent cations ranging from 1.25 to 62.5 mmol/g alginate. Attachment to RGD-alginate was 10-20 times higher than attachment to unmodified alginate and was significantly inhibited by antibodies to integrin subunits α₃ and β₁, cytochalasin-D, and soluble RGD peptide. The equilibrium level and rate of attachment increased with crosslink density and substrate stiffness. Substrate stiffness also regulated chondrocyte morphology, which changed from a rounded shape with nebulous actin on weaker substrates to a predominantly flat morphology with actin stress fibers on stiffer substrates. The dependence of attachment on integrins and substrate stiffness suggests that chondrocyte integrins may play a role in sensing the mechanical properties of the matrices to which they are attached.     

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films as substrates for photoreceptor cells

Reconstruction of extracellular matrix substrates for delivery of functional photoreceptors is crucial in pathologies such as retinal degeneration and age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we assembled polyelectrolyte films using the layer-by-layer deposition method. The buildup of three different films composed of poly(L-lysine)/chondroitin sulfate (PLL/CSA), poly(L-lysine)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PLL/PSS), or poly(L-lysine)/hyaluronic acid (PLL/HA) was followed by means of quartz crystal microbalance measurements, optical waveguide light mode spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The exponential growth regime and the diffusion of PLL chains from the bulk through the PLL/CSA, PLL/PSS, and PLL/HA films was examined. Evaluation of photoreceptor cell viability was optimal on one layer of PLL (PLL(1)), followed by 10 bilayers of PLL/HA [(PLL/HA)(10)] and 10 bilayers of PLL/CSA [(PLL/CSA)(10)]. The number of bilayers and the type of terminating layer also had a significant influence on the number of photoreceptor cells attached. Functionalized polyelectrolyte multilayer films were obtained by adsorbing basic fibroblastic factor (bFGF) or the insoluble fraction of interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) on or within polyelectrolyte multilayers. bFGF and IPM adsorption on top of the (PLL/CSA)(10)/PLL polyelectrolyte films increased the number of photoreceptor cells attached and maintained the differentiation of rod and cone cells.     

Preparation and characterization of biocompatible polyelectrolyte complex multilayer of hyaluronic acid and poly-L-lysine

A novel biocompatible polyelectrolyte complex multilayer (PECML) was successfully prepared using hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly-l-lysine (PLL). The formation of PECML through the electrostatic interaction of HA as a polyanion and PLL as a polycation was confirmed by contact angle measurement, ESCA analysis and HA content analysis. According to the Carbazole assay, HA content increased rapidly up to eight cycles for HA/PLL deposition and then slightly increased with an increasing number of deposition cycle. In vitro release of PLL from the PECML continued up to 4 days exhibiting different release profiles depending on the outer layer of PECML. This result provides evidence for PLL diffusion throughout PECML of HA and PLL during the multilayer buildup. About 25% of HA remained on the cover glass after the in vitro release test for 7 days. From the results, we confirmed that PECML of HA and PLL could remain at least partially on the chitosan-coated cover glass for 7 days. The surface modification with PECML resulted in drastically reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) attachment according to the lactate dehydrogenase assay for cell counting. This nano-scale control of material deposition may be successfully applied for surface modification of various biomaterials.     

Characterization of biocompatible polyelectrolyte complex multilayer of hyaluronic acid and poly-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lysine

A biocompatible polyelectrolyte complex multilayer (PECML) film consisting of poly-L-lysine (PLL) as a polycation and hyaluronic acid (HA) as a polyanion was developed to test its use for surface modification to prevent cell attachment and protein drug delivery. The formation of PECML through the electrostatic interaction of HA and PLL was confirmed by contact angle measurement, ESCA analysis, and HA content analysis. HA content increased rapidly up to 8 cycles for HA/PLL deposition and then slightly increased with an increasing number of deposition cycle.In vitro release of PLL in the PECML continued up to 4 days andca. 25% of HA remained on the chitosan-coated cover glass afterin vitro release test for 7 days. From the results, PECML of HA and PLL appeared to be stable for about 4 days. The surface modification of the chitosan-coated cover glass with PECML resulted in drastically reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) attachment. Concerned with its use for protein drug delivery, we confirmed that bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein could be incorporated into the PECML and its release might be triggered by the degradation of HA with hyaluronidase.     

pH dependence and protein selectivity of poly(ethyleneimine)/poly(acrylic acid) multilayers studied by in situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

The selective interaction between polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) consecutively adsorbed from poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAC) and a binary mixture containing concanavalin A (COA) and lysozyme (LYZ) based on electrostatic interaction is reported. The composition and structure of the PEM and the uptake of proteins were analyzed by in situ attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the morphology and thickness were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ellipsometry. The PEM dissociation degree and charge state and the protein adsorption were shown to be highly dependent on the outermost layer type and the pH in solution. High protein uptake was obtained under electrostatically attractive conditions. This was used to bind selectively one protein from a binary mixture of LYZ/COA. In detail it could be demonstrated that six-layered PEM-6 at pH = 7.3 showed a preferential sorption of positively charged LYZ, while at PEM-5 and pH = 7.3 negatively charged COA could be selectively bound. No protein sorption from the binary mixture was observed at pH = 4.0 for both PEM, when COA, LYZ, and the outermost PEI layer of PEM-5 were positively charged or the outermost PAC layer of PEM-6 was neutral. Furthermore, from factor analysis of the spectral data the higher selectivity was found for PEM-5 compared to PEM-6. Increasing the ionic strength revealed a drastic decrease in the selectivity of both PEM. Evidence was found that the proteins were predominantly bound at the surface and to a minor extent in the bulk phase of PEM. These results suggest possible working regimes and application fields of PEI/PAC multilayer assemblies related to the preparative separation of binary and multicomponent protein mixtures (biofluids, food) as well as to the design of selective protein-resistant surfaces.     

The roles of matrix molecules in mediating chondrocyte aggregation, attachment, and spreading

The most abundant macromolecules in cartilage are hyaluronan, collagen, aggrecan, and link protein, which are believed to play roles in maintaining a unique three-dimensional network for a functional joint. This study was designed to investigate the roles of the major extracellular molecules in mediating chondrocyte-matrix interactions. We employed specific approaches to remove components individually or in combination: hyaluronan was digested with hyaluronidase; type II collagen was digested with collagenase; aggrecan expression was inhibited with antisense and beta-xyloside approaches; and link protein expression was inhibited with antisense oligonucleotides. Digestion of hyaluronan induced chondrocyte attachment to tissue culture plates, collagen-coated plates, and fibroblast-like chondrocyte cultures, and induced chondrocyte aggregation. Treated chondrocytes exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology, and the effects of hyaluronidase were dose-dependent. Conversely, the effect of collagenase on chondrocyte adhesion and aggregation was far less pronounced. Treatment with Arg-Gly-Asp peptide inhibited chondrocyte-collagen interaction. Chondrocyte attachment was enhanced by antisense oligonucleotides complementary to aggrecan and link protein and by beta-xyloside treatment. Nevertheless, hyaluronan seems to predominate over the other molecules in mediating chondrocyte-matrix interactions.     

Protein adsorption onto auto-assembled polyelectrolyte films

Surface modification by deposition of ordered protein systems constitutes one of the major objectives of bio-related chemistry and biotechnology. In this respect a concept has recently been reported aimed at fabricating multilayers by the consecutive adsorption of positively and negatively charged polyelectrolytes. We investigate the adsorption processes between polyelectrolyte multilayers and a series of positively and negatively charged proteins. The film buildup and adsorption experiments were followed by Scanning Angle Reflectometry (SAR). We find that proteins strongly interact with the polyelectrolyte film whatever the sign of the charge of both the multilayer and the protein. When charges of the multilayer and the protein are similar, one usually observes the formation of protein monolayers, which can become dense. We also show that when the protein and the multilayer become oppositely charged, the adsorbed amounts are usually larger and the formation of thick protein layers extending up to several times the largest dimension of the protein can be observed. Our results confirm that electrostatic interactions dominate protein/polyelectrolyte multilayer interactions.     

Site-selective lateral multilayer assembly of bienzyme with polyelectrolyte on ITO electrode based on electric field-induced directly layer-by-layer deposition

We describe here a new approach to construct a multilayer enzyme/polyelectrolyte film on a structured transparent indium-tin oxide (ITO) covered glass electrode surface as micropattern, on which two different types of enzyme distributed laterally on one common substrate without interference. The multilayer film was prepared by alternate electric field directed layer-by-layer assembly deposition and alternate deposition of different redox enzymes and polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) onto the site-selective ITO glass electrode surface. The cyclic voltammogram, obtained from the ITO glass electrode modified with the glucose oxidase (GO(X))/PDDA and catalase (CA(T))/PDDA multilayers, revealed that the bioelectrocatalytic response is directly correlated to the number of deposition bilayers. From the analysis of cyclic voltammetric characterization, the coverage of catalytically active enzymes per enzyme/PDDA bilayer during the multilayer formation was homogeneous, which demonstrates that the multilayer is constructed in a spatially ordered manner. Also, from the atomic force microscopy and Brewster angle microscopy measurements, more information of the multilayer constructed by different methods on the modified electrode surface is obtained and compared. This fabrication technique is simple and would be applicable to the construction of a thickness- and area-controlled biopattern composed of multi-enzymes as well as multiple biomaterials.     

Secondary structure of proteins adsorbed onto or embedded in polyelectrolyte multilayers

The structural changes of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) upon their adsorption onto the surface or their embedding into the interior of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-(poly(styrenesulfonate) (PAH-PSS) multilayer architectures were investigated by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The presence of the polyelectrolytes seems, as previously observed for fibrinogen (J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 11906-11916), to prevent intermolecular interactions and, thus, protein aggregation at ambient temperature. The secondary structure of the proteins was somewhat altered upon adsorption onto the polyelectrolyte multilayers. The structural changes were larger when the charges of the multilayer outer layer and the protein were opposing. The adsorption of further polyelectrolyte layers onto protein-terminated architectures (i.e., embedding the proteins into a polyelectrolyte multilayer) did not cause considerable further changes in their secondary structures. The capacity of the polyelectrolyte architectures to delay the formation of intermolecular beta-sheets upon increasing temperatures was not uniform for the studied proteins. PSS in contact with HEL could largely prevent the heat-induced aggregation of HEL. In contrast, PAH had hardly any effect on the aggregation of BSA. The differences are explained on the basis of protein-polyelectrolyte interactions, affected mostly by the nature and the strength of the ionic interactions between the polyelectrolyte-protein contact surfaces.     

Imaging cell interactions with native and crosslinked polyelectrolyte multilayers

The adhesion of primary chondrocytes to polyelectrolyte multilayer films, made of poly(l-lysine) (PLL) and hyaluronan (HA), was investigated for native and crosslinked films, either ending by PLL or HA. Crosslinking the film was achieved by means of a water-soluble carbodiimide in combination with N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. The adhesion of macrophages and primary chondrocytes was investigated by microscopical techniques (optical, confocal, and atomic), providing useful information on the cell/film interface. Native films were found to be nonadhesive for the, primary chondrocytes, but could be degraded by macrophages, as could be visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy after film labeling. Confocal microscopy images show that these films can be deformed by the condrocytes and that PLL diffuses at the chondrocyte membrane. In contrast, the cells adhered and proliferated well on the crosslinked films, which were not degraded by the macrophages. These results were confirmed by a MTT test over a 6-d period and by atomic force microscopy observations. We thus prove that chemical crosslinking can dramatically change cell adhesion properties, the cells being more stably anchored on the crosslinked films. Both authors kcontributed equally.     

Formation of polymerized mixed heparin/albumin surface layer and cellular adhesional responses

The aim of this study was to create a dense albuminated layer, a heparinized layer, and a mixed layer on a poly(acrylic acid)-grafted surface via visible light induced photopolymerization. The procedure is comprised of four reaction steps: first, by visible light irradiation, acrylic acid (AA) was graft-polymerized on a segmented polyurethane (SPU) film that was preimpregnated with camphorquinone. The second step was adsorption of multiply styrenated albumin or styrenated heparin or their mixture, followed by visible light irradiation in the presence of carboxylated camphorquinone. The third step was covalent bonding between polyAA graft chain and polymerized biomacromolecule and between polymerized biomacromolecule to enforce the formation of a stable immobilized multilayer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic measurements were conducted to analyze the surfaces formed at each step. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was utilized to determine the thickness of the biomacromolecule-immobilized layer with several tenths of a micrometer thickness. Platelet adhesion was markedly reduced on polymerized albuminated, polymerized heparinized, and copolymerized layers, whereas adhesive and proliferative potentials of endothelial cells, which were comparable to those of commercial tissue culture dishes, were observed on these surfaces. Co-immobilization of fibronectin and basic fibroblast growth factor enhanced these potentials. These densely multilayered surfaces may be suitable for artificial and tissue-engineered devices.     

Characterization of the Chondrocyte Actin Cytoskeleton in Living Three-Dimensional Culture: Response to Anabolic and Catabolic Stimuli

The actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic network required for intracellular transport, signal transduction, movement, attachment to the extracellular matrix, cellular stiffness and cell shape. Cell shape and the actin cytoskeletal configuration are linked to chondrocyte phenotype with regard to gene expression and matrix synthesis. Historically, the chondrocyte actin cytoskeleton has been studied after formaldehyde fixation - precluding real-time measurements of actin dynamics, or in monolayer cultured cells. Here we characterize the actin cytoskeleton of living low-passage human chondrocytes grown in three-dimensional culture using a stably expressed actin-GFP construct. GFP-actin expression does not substantially alter the production of endogenous actin at the protein level. GFP-actin incorporates into all actin structures stained by fluorescent phalloidin, and does not affect the actin cytoskeleton as seen by fluorescence microscopy. GFP-actin expression does not significantly change the chondrocyte cytosolic stiffness. GFP-actin does not alter the gene expression response to cytokines and growth factors such as IL-1band TGF-b. Finally, GFP-actin does not alter production of extracellular matrix as measured by radiosulfate incorporation. Having established that GFP-actin does not measurably affect the chondrocyte phenotype, we tested the hypothesis that IL-1band TGF-bdifferentially alter the actin cytoskeleton using time-lapse microscopy. TGF-bincreases actin extensions and lamellar ruffling indicative of Rac/CDC42 activation, while IL-1bcauses cellular contraction indicative of RhoA activation. The ability to visualize GFP-actin in living chondrocytes in 3D culture without disrupting the organization or function of the cytoskeleton is an advance in chondrocyte cell biology and provides a powerful tool for future studies in actin-dependent chondrocyte differentiation and mechanotransduction pathways.     

Role of anchorin CII, a 31,000-mol-wt membrane protein, in the interaction of chondrocytes with type II collagen

We have previously reported the isolation of a hydrophobic, type-II collagen-binding glycoprotein of molecular weight 31,000 (31,000-mol-wt protein) from chick chondrocyte membranes (Mollenhauer, J., and K. von der Mark, EMBO Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ. J., 2:45-50). The function of this protein in anchoring pericellular type II collagen to the chondrocyte surface was inferred from its ability to bind native type-II collagen either when detergent solubilized or when inserted into liposomes. In the present study we have used specific antibodies to localize this protein, which we now call anchorin CII, to the surface of chondrocytes in both cartilage sections, and in cell culture. In immunofluorescence studies of isolated chondrocytes we observed a dense, punctate distribution of anchorin CII on the cell surface when chondrocytes were enclosed by a pericellular type II collagen matrix. Removal of the pericellular matrix with trypsin also removed anchorin CII. The membrane protein character of anchorin CII was indicated by the demonstration of antibody-induced patching and capping on the chondrocyte surface at 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively. In monolayer culture, the amount of anchorin CII appeared reduced on flattened chondrocytes lacking a pericellular type II collagen matrix but was prominent upon intercellular cell processes. Fab' fragments prepared from either anchorin CII antiserum or an antiserum directed against the entire chondrocyte membrane inhibited the attachment of chondrocytes to a type II collagen substrate. In each case, the inhibition of attachment was neutralized by preincubation of Fab' fragments with purified anchorin CII.     

Vascular smooth muscle cells on polyelectrolyte multilayers: hydrophobicity-directed adhesion and growth

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films were employed to support attachment of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells. Like smooth muscle cells in vivo, cultured A7r5 cells are capable of converting between a nonmotile "contractile" phenotype and a motile "synthetic" phenotype. Polyelectrolyte films were designed to examine the effect of surface charge and hydrophobicity on cell adhesion, morphology, and motility. The hydrophobic nature and surface charge of different polyelectrolyte films significantly affected A7r5 cell attachment and spreading. In general, hydrophobic polyelectrolyte film surfaces, regardless of formal charge, were found to be more cytophilic than hydrophilic surfaces. On the most hydrophobic surfaces, the A7r5 cells adhered, spread, and exhibited little indication of motility, whereas on the most hydrophilic surfaces, the cells adhered poorly if at all and when present on the surface displayed characteristics of being highly motile. The two surfaces that minimized cell adhesion consisted of two varieties of a diblock copolymer containing hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and a copolymer bearing a zwitterionic group AEDAPS, (3-[2-(acrylamido)-ethyldimethyl ammonio] propane sulfonate). Increasing the proportion of AEDAPS in the copolymer decreased the adhesion of cells to the surface. Cells presented with micropatterns of cytophilic and cytophobic surfaces generated by polymer-on-polymer stamping displayed a surface-dependent cytoskeletal organization and a dramatic preference for adhesion to, and spreading on, the cytophilic surface, demonstrating the utility of polyelectrolyte films in manipulating smooth muscle cell adhesion and behavior.     

Effects of extracellular matrix proteins in chondrocyte‐derived matrices on chondrocyte functions

Loss of cartilaginous phenotype during in vitro expansion culture of chondrocytes is a major barrier to the application of chondrocytes for tissue engineering. In previous study, we showed that dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during the passage culture was delayed by matrices formed by primary chondrocytes (P0‐ECM). In this study, we investigated bovine chondrocyte functions when being cultured on isolated extracellular matrix (ECM) protein‐coated substrata and P0‐ECM. Low chondrocyte attachment was observed on aggrecan‐coated substratum and P0‐ECM. Cell proliferation on aggrecan‐ and type II collagen/aggrecan‐coated substrata and P0‐ECM was lower than that on the other ECM protein (type I collagen and type II collagen)‐coated substrata. When chondrocytes were subcultured on aggrecan‐coated substratum, decline of cartilaginous gene expression was delayed, which was similar to the cells subcultured on P0‐ECM. These results indicate that aggrecan plays an important role in the regulation of chondrocyte functions and P0‐ECM may be a good experimental control for investigating the role of each ECM protein in cartilage ECM. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1331–1336, 2013