Guiding cell adhesion and motility by modulating cross-linking and topographic properties of microgel arrays

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 23;16(9):e0257495. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257495. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Biomaterial-driven modulation of cell adhesion and migration is a challenging aspect of tissue engineering. Here, we investigated the impact of surface-bound microgel arrays with variable geometry and adjustable cross-linking properties on cell adhesion and migration. We show that cell migration is inversely correlated with microgel array spacing, whereas directionality increases as array spacing increases. Focal adhesion dynamics is also modulated by microgel topography resulting in less dynamic focal adhesions on surface-bound microgels. Microgels also modulate the motility and adhesion of Sertoli cells used as a model for cell migration and adhesion. Both focal adhesion dynamics and speed are reduced on microgels. Interestingly, Gas2L1, a component of the cytoskeleton that mediates the interaction between microtubules and microfilaments, is dispensable for the regulation of cell adhesion and migration on microgels. Finally, increasing microgel cross-linking causes a clear reduction of focal adhesion turnover in Sertoli cells. These findings not only show that spacing and rigidity of surface-grafted microgels arrays can be effectively used to modulate cell adhesion and motility of diverse cellular systems, but they also form the basis for future developments in the fields of medicine and tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Cell Movement
  • Focal Adhesions
  • Microgels*
  • Tissue Engineering*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Microgels

Grants and funding

This work was partly supported by the Center for Chemical Polymer Technology (CPT), which was supported by the EU and the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia (grant EFRE 30 00883 02). AP thanks the financial support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) of the Collaborative Research Center SFB 985 “Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems”. The funders have no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. There was no additional external funding received for this study.