Self-assembled extracellular matrix protein networks by microcontact printing

Biomaterials. 2004 Mar-Apr;25(7-8):1349-53. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.08.017.

Abstract

Physiological patterns of the extracellular matrix protein, laminin-1, were obtained on glass substrates by physisorption-assisted microcontact printing. Besides the well-retained antigenicity confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assays, we investigated the supramolecular organization of the proteins by atomic force microscopy. We found the characteristic protein self-assembling in polygonal networks with well-defined sub-100 nm quaternary structures of laminin. The formation of these physiological mesh-like protein matrices was obtained by means of one-step soft lithography without any preliminary functionalization of glass, which can be exploited for many possible applications for cell cultures and biomolecular devices.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemical synthesis*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / chemistry
  • Laminin / chemistry*
  • Laminin / ultrastructure*
  • Materials Testing
  • Protein Conformation
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Laminin