The shape of cells adhering to sulfonated copolymer surfaces

We studied the shape of L1210 leukaemia cells adhering in a protein-free medium to sulfonated (styrene/methyl methacrylate) copolymer surfaces of two sulfonic group densities, and thus of differing wettability. The use of our image analysis method and the mathematical procedure [Kowalczynska, H.M. et al, Colloids Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 30 (2003) 193-206.] allowed us to calculate the values of the so-called shape parameter, which quantitatively determines the three-dimensional cell shape. Here, we show that the values of the shape parameter of the adhering cells and the F-actin concentration, in the region near the cell-substratum interface, depend on the density of sulfonic groups present on the substratum surface.