Regionally-selective cell colonization of micropatterned surfaces prepared by plasma polymerization of acrylic acid and 1,7-octadiene.

Micropatterned surfaces have been used as a tool for controlling the extent and strength of cell adhesion, the direction of cell growth and the spatial distribution of cells. In this study, chemically micropatterned surfaces were prepared by successive plasma polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 1,7-octadiene (OD) through a mask. Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), bovine endothelial cells (EC), porcine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or human skeletal muscle cells (HSKMC) were seeded on these surfaces in densities from 9,320 cells/cm(2) to 31,060 cells/cm(2). All cell types adhered and grew preferentially on the strip-like AA domains. Between day 1 and 7 after seeding, the percentage of cells on AA domains ranged from 84.5 to 63.3 % for VSMC, 85.3 to 73.5 % for EC, 98.0 to 90.0 % for MSC, and 93.6 to 55.0 % for HSKMC. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the concentration of alpha-actin per mg of protein was significantly higher in VSMC on AA. Similarly, immunofluorescence staining of von Willebrand factor showed more apparent Weibel-Palade bodies in EC on AA domains. MSC growing on AA had better developed beta-actin cytoskeleton, although they were less stained for hyaluronan receptor (CD44). In accordance with this, MSC on AA contained a higher concentration of beta-actin, although the concentration of CD44 was lower. HSKMC growing on AA had a better developed alpha-actin cytoskeleton. These results based on four cell types suggest that plasma polymerization is a suitable method for producing spatially defined patterned surfaces for controlled cell adhesion, proliferation and maturation.