Rigidity-patterned polyelectrolyte films to control myoblast cell adhesion and spatial organization.

ABSTRACT: In vivo, cells are sensitive to the stiffness of their micro-environment and especially to the spatial organization of the stiffness. In vitro studies of this phenomenon can help to better understand the mechanisms of the cell response to spatial variations of the matrix stiffness. In this work, we design polelyelectrolyte multilayer films made of poly(L-lysine) and a photo-reactive hyaluronan derivative. These films can be photo-crosslinked through a photomask to create spatial patterns of rigidity. Quartz substrates incorporating a chromium mask are prepared to expose selectively the film to UV light (in a physiological buffer), without any direct contact between the photomask and the soft film. We show that these micropatterns are chemically homogeneous and flat, without a

SUBMITTER: Monge C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4119880 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature