Improved biocompatibility and performance of biomedical devices can be achieved through the incorporation of bioactive molecules on device surfaces. Five structurally distinct pectic polysaccharides (modified hairy regions (MHRs)) were obtained by enzymatic liquefaction of apple (MHR-B, MHR-A and MHR-alpha), carrot (MHR-C) and potato (MHR-P) cells. Polystyrene (PS) Petri dishes, aminated by a plasma deposition process, were surface modified by the covalent linking of the MHRs. Results clearly demonstrate that MHR-B induces cell adhesion, proliferation and survival, in contrast to the other MHRs. Moreover, MHR-alpha causes cells to aggregate, decrease proliferation and enter into apoptosis. Cells cultured in standard conditions with 1% soluble MHR-B or MHR-alpha show the opposite behaviour to the one observed on MHR-B and -alpha-grafted PS. Fibronectin was similarly adsorbed onto MHR-B and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) control, but poorly on MHR-alpha. The Fn cell binding site (RGD sequence) was more accessible on MHR-B than on TCPS control, but poorly on MHR-alpha. The disintegrin echistatin inhibited fibroblast adhesion and spreading on MHR-B-grafted PS, which suggests that MHRs control fibroblast behaviour via serum-adhesive proteins. This study provides a basis for the design of intelligently-tailored biomaterial coatings able to induce specific cell functions.