Interactions of ADP-stimulated human platelets with PEGylated polystyrene substrates prepared by surface amidation

A study primarily focused on the interactions between ADP-stimulated human platelets and PEGylated polystyrene substrates is described in this paper. The platelet–surface interactions were investigated using colorimetric acid phosphatase assay. Two types of amine-containing polymeric hydrogel materials based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), H₂N–PEG–OCH₃ and H₂N–PEG–NH₂, were used to PEGylate polystyrene surfaces derivatized with maleic anhydride by amidation at alkaline pH. In addition, comparative studies using surfaces non-covalently adsorbed by bovine serum albumin (BSA) or fibrinogen (Fg) were also conducted. The assay results showed that no significant platelet adhesion was observed when PEGylated surfaces or BSA-coated surfaces were exposed to unstimulated gel-filtered platelets (GFP). However, upon ADP-stimulation, platelet adhesion to the surfaces under investigation in this study all increased to varying degrees. Most importantly, the results showed that polystyrene surfaces PEGylated using H₂N–PEG–NH₂ were most effective in resisting platelet adhesion when assays were performed using ADP-stimulated GFP. By PEGylating the surfaces of polystyrene microtiter wells via the amidation reaction described in this paper, it is demonstrated that (i) higher degree of surface PEGylation is favored at more alkaline pH and (ii) polystyrene substrates capable of more effectively resisting the adhesion of ADP-stimulated GFP can be obtained by the PEGylation reaction carried out at pH 9.1 using H₂N–PEG–NH₂.     

In vitro model on glass surfaces for complex interactions between different types of cells

This report establishes an in vitro model on glass surfaces for patterning multiple types of cells to simulate cell-cell interactions in vivo. The model employs a microfluidic system and poly(ethylene glycol)-terminated oxysilane (PEG-oxysilane) to modify glass surfaces in order to resist cell adhesion. The system allows the selective confinement of different types of cells to realize complete confinement, partial confinement, and no confinement of three types of cells on glass surfaces. The model was applied to study intercellular interactions among human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), PLA 801 C and PLA801 D cells.     

Covalent microcontact printing of proteins for cell patterning

We describe a straightforward approach to the covalent immobilization of cytophilic proteins by microcontact printing, which can be used to pattern cells on substrates. Cytophilic proteins are printed in micropatterns on reactive self-assembled monolayers by using imine chemistry. An aldehyde-terminated monolayer on glass or on gold was obtained by the reaction between an amino-terminated monolayer and terephthaldialdehyde. The aldehyde monolayer was employed as a substrate for the direct microcontact printing of bioengineered, collagen-like proteins by using an oxidized poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp. After immobilization of the proteins into adhesive "islands", the remaining areas were blocked with amino-poly(ethylene glycol), which forms a layer that is resistant to cell adhesion. Human malignant carcinoma (HeLa) cells were seeded and incubated onto the patterned substrate. It was found that these cells adhere to and spread selectively on the protein islands, and avoid the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) zones. These findings illustrate the importance of microcontact printing as a method for positioning proteins at surfaces and demonstrate the scope of controlled surface chemistry to direct cell adhesion.     

Mussel adhesive protein mimetic polymers for the preparation of nonfouling surfaces

A new biomimetic strategy for modification of biomaterial surfaces with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was developed. The strategy exploits the adhesive characteristics of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), an important component of mussel adhesive proteins, to anchor PEG onto surfaces, rendering the surfaces resistant to cell attachment. Linear monomethoxy-terminated PEGs were conjugated either to a single DOPA residue (mPEG-DOPA) or to the N-terminus of Ala-Lys-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Hyp-Hyp-Thr-DOPA-Lys (mPEG-MAPD), a decapeptide analogue of a protein found in Mytilus edulis adhesive plaques. Gold and titanium surfaces were modified by adsorption of mPEG-DOPA and mPEG-MAPD from solution, after which surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy confirmed the presence of immobilized PEG on the surface. The ability of modified surfaces to resist cell attachment was examined by culturing 3T3 fibroblasts on the surfaces for up to 14 days. Quantitative image analysis revealed that cell adhesion to mPEG-DOPA and mPEG-MAPD modified surfaces decreased by as much as 98% compared to control surfaces. Modified Ti surfaces exhibited low cell adhesion for up to 2 weeks in culture, indicating that the nonfouling properties of mPEG-DOPA and mPEG-MAPD treated surfaces persist for extended periods of time. This strategy paradoxically exploits the strong fouling characteristics of MAP analogues for antifouling purposes and may be broadly applied to medical implants and diagnostics, as well as numerous nonmedical applications in which the minimization of surface fouling is desired.     

Photosensitive chitosan to control cell attachment

An approach to control cell adhesion using a photocleavable molecule on chitosan has been developed and studied. Photocleavable 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl chloroformate (NVOC) was introduced into chitosan to control the surface properties. The two UV illuminations with a photomask controlled the cleavage of NVOC and the presentation of deprotected amines on one chitosan surface spatially and temporally. The following immobilizations of cell repulsive poly(ethylene glycol) after the first illumination and cell adhesive sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) after the second illumination on the surface helped create surface heterogeneity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water contact angle, and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to characterize the surfaces and photoactivation during the process. To study the cell attachment and morphology on our designed surfaces, NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell was used. Cell number and morphology on the surfaces were investigated. The cell study demonstrated the feasibility of the surfaces on the control of cell adhesion and the formation of cell patterns by UV illuminations and the following immobilizations of different biomolecules.     

Protein resistance of titanium oxide surfaces modified by biologically inspired mPEG-DOPA

In the present study, we have utilized X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), spectroscopic ellipsometry (ELM), and optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) to examine the surface adsorption and protein resistance behavior of bio-inspired polymers consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conjugated to peptide mimics of mussel adhesive proteins. Peptides containing up to three residues of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), a key component of mussel adhesive proteins, were conjugated to monomethoxy-terminated PEG polymers. These mPEG-DOPA polymers were found to be highly adhesive to TiO2 surfaces, with quantitative XPS analysis providing useful insight into the binding mechanism. Additionally, the antifouling properties of immobilized PEG were reflected in the excellent resistance of mPEG-DOPA-modified TiO2 surfaces to protein adsorption. Measurements of mPEG-DOPA and human serum adsorption were related in terms of ethylene glycol (EG) surface density and serum mass adsorbed and demonstrated a threshold of approximately 15-20 EG/nm2, above which substantially little protein adsorbs. With respect to surface density of adsorbed PEG and the associated nonfouling behavior of the adlayers, strong parallels exist between the nonfouling properties of the surface-bound mPEG-DOPA polymers and PEG polymers immobilized to surfaces using other approaches. Peptide anchors containing three DOPA residues resulted in PEG surface densities higher than those achieved using several existing PEG immobilization strategies, suggesting that peptide mimics of mussel adhesive proteins may be useful for achieving high densities of protein-resistant polymers on surfaces.     

'Stealth' corona-core nanoparticles surface modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG): influences of the corona (PEG chain length and surface density) and of the core composition on phagocytic uptake and plasma protein adsorption

Nanoparticles possessing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains on their surface have been described as blood persistent drug delivery system with potential applications for intravenous drug administration. Considering the importance of protein interactions with injected colloidal dug carriers with regard to their in vivo fate, we analysed plasma protein adsorption onto biodegradable PEG-coated poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles employing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). A series of corona/core nanoparticles of sizes 160–270 nm were prepared from diblock PEG-PLA, PEG-PLGA and PEG-PCL and from PEG-PLA:PLA blends. The PEG Mw was varied from 2000–20 000 g/mole and the particles were prepared using different PEG contents. It was thus possible to study the influence of the PEG corona thickness and density, as well as the influence of the nature of the core (PLA, PLGA or PCL), on the competitive plasma protein adsorption, zeta potential and particle uptake by polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. 2-D PAGE studies showed that plasma protein adsorption on PEG-coated PLA nanospheres strongly depends on the PEG molecular weight (Mw) (i.e. PEG chain length at the particle surface) as well as on the PEG content in the particles (i.e. PEG chain density at the surface of the particles). Whatever the thickness or the density of the corona, the qualitative composition of the plasma protein adsorption patterns was very similar, showing that adsorption was governed by interaction with a PLA surface protected more or less by PEG chains. The main spots on the gels were albumin, fibrinogen, IgG, Ig light chains, and the apolipoproteins apoA-I and apoE. For particles made of PEG-PLA45K with different PEG Mw, a maximal reduction in protein adsorption was found for a PEG Mw of 5000 g/mole. For nanospheres differing in their PEG content from 0.5 to 20 wt %, a PEG content between 2 and 5 wt % was determined as a threshold value for optimal protein resistance. When increasing the PEG content in the nanoparticles above 5 wt % no further reduction in protein adsorption was achieved. Phagocytosis by PMN studied using chemiluminescence and zeta potential data agreed well with these findings: the same PEG surface density threshold was found to ensure simultaneously efficient steric stabilization and to avoid the uptake by PMN cells. Supposing all the PEG chains migrate to the surface, this would correspond to a distance of about 1.5 nm between two terminally attached PEG chains in the covering ‘brush’. Particles from PEG5K-PLA45K, PEG5K-PLGA45K and PEG5K-PCL45K copolymers enabled to study the influence of the core on plasma protein adsorption, all other parameters (corona thickness and density) being kept constant. Adsorption patterns were in good qualitative agreement with each other. Only a few protein species were exclusively present just on one type of nanoparticle. However, the extent of proteins adsorbed differed in a large extent from one particle to another. In vivo studies could help elucidating the role of the type and amount of proteins adsorbed on the fate of the nanoparticles after intraveinous administration, as a function of the nature of their core. These results could be useful in the design of long circulating intravenously injectable biodegradable drug carriers endowed with protein resistant properties and low phagocytic uptake.     

Colloidal stability and drug incorporation aspects of micellar-like PLA–PEG nanoparticles

The drug delivery properties of a series of poly(lactic acid)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA–PEG) micellar-like nanoparticles have been assessed in terms of their colloidal stability and their ability to incorporate a water soluble drug. These studies have focused on a range of PLA–PEG copolymers with a fixed PEG block (5 kDa) and a varying PLA segment (3–110 kDa). In aqueous media, these copolymers formed micellar-like assemblies following precipitation from water miscible solvents. There was a controlled increase in the particle size as the molecular weight of the PLA block was increased. The characteristics of the PEG corona were also highly dependent on the PLA moiety. Copolymers with a low molecular weight PLA block (3–15 kDa) formed highly colloidally stable dispersions, with a complete PEG surface coverage. However, increasing the molecular weight of the PLA block resulted in significantly less colloidally stable nanoparticle dispersions, which flocculated in solvents that were significantly better than θ-solvents for the stabilising PEG chains. This can be attributed to a reduced PEG surface coverage and the probable presence of naked PLA ‘patches’ on the particle surface. These larger PLA–PEG nanoparticles (30:5–110:5) were found to be stabilised in the presence of serum components, which are thought to adsorb into the gaps on the particle surface and prevent flocculation. All of the dispersions were found to be stable under physiological conditions and therefore suitable for in vivo administration. A reasonable loading (3.1% w/w) of the micellar-like PLA–PEG 30:5 nanoparticles with the water soluble drug procaine hydrochloride was achieved. The incorporated drug was found to have no effect on the nanoparticle structure or recovery, which can be attributed to the micellar character of these assemblies and the presence of the stabilising PEG chains.     

Tunable resistive m-dPEG acid patterns on polyelectrolyte multilayers at physiological conditions: template for directed deposition of biomacromolecules

This paper describes a new class of salt-responsive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on top of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEMs) films. PEM surfaces with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) as the topmost layer are chemically patterned by microcontact printing (muCP) oligomeric PEG molecules with an activated carboxylic acid terminal group (m-dPEG acid). The resistive m-d-poly(ethylene glycol) (m-dPEG) acid molecules on the PEMs films were subsequently removed from the PEM surface with salt treatment, thus converting the nonadhesive surfaces into adhesive surfaces. The resistive PEG patterns facilitate the directed deposition of various macromolecules such as polymers, dyes, colloidal particles, proteins, liposomes, and nucleic acids. Further, these PEG patterns act as a universal resist for different types of cells (e.g., primary cells, cell lines), thus permitting more flexibility in attaching a wide variety of cells to material surfaces. The patterned films were characterized by optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The PEG patterns were removed from the PEM surface at certain salt conditions without affecting the PEM films underneath the SAMs. Removal of the PEG SAMs and the stability of the PEM films underneath it were characterized with ellipsometry and optical microscopy. Such salt- and pH-responsive surfaces could lead to significant advances in the fields of tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, materials science, and biology.     

Surface presentation of bioactive ligands in a nonadhesive background using DOPA-tethered biotinylated poly(ethylene glycol)

We have developed surfaces for the selective presentation of biotinylated peptides and proteins in a background that resists nonspecific protein adsorption; controlled amounts of biotinylated poly(ethylene glycol) (MW 3400 Da; PEG3400) anchored to titanium-dioxide-coated surfaces via an adhesive tri-peptide sequence of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA3-PEG3400-biotin; DPB) were incorporated within a DOPA3-PEG2000 background. Using optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy, we found that the amounts of sequentially adsorbed NeutrAvidin and singly biotinylated molecules increased proportionally with the amount of DPB in the surface. Biotinylated peptides (MW approximately 2000 Da) were able to fill all three of the remaining avidin-binding sites, while only one molecule of biotinylated PEG5000 or stem cell factor bound to each avidin. The resulting biotin-avidin-biotin linkages were stable for prolonged periods under continuous perfusion, even in the presence of excess free biotin. Hematopoietic M07e cells bound to immobilized peptide ligands for alpha5beta1 (cyclic RGD) and alpha4beta1 (cylic LDV) integrins in a DPB-dose-dependent manner, with near-maximal binding to cylic LDV for surfaces containing 1% DPB. Multiple ligands were adsorbed in a controlled manner by incubating NeutrAvidin with the respective ligands in the desired molar ratio and then adding the resulting complexes to DPB-containing surfaces. Cell adhesion to surfaces containing both cylic LDV and cyclic RGD increased in an additive manner compared to that for the individual ligands. The bioactivity of adsorbed biotinylated stem cell factor was retained, as demonstrated by DPB-dose-dependent M07e cell adhesion and ERK1/2 activation.     

Linear Poly(methyl glycerol) and Linear Polyglycerol as Potent Protein and Cell Resistant Alternatives to Poly(ethylene glycol)

The nonspecific interaction of proteins with surfaces in contact with biofluids leads to adverse problems and is prevented by a biocompatible surface coating. The current benchmark material among such coatings is poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Herein, we report on the synthesis of linear polyglycerol derivatives as promising alternatives to PEG. Therefore, gold surfaces as a model system are functionalized with a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) by a two‐step anhydride coupling and a direct thiol immobilization of linear poly(methyl glycerol) and polyglycerol. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy reveals both types of functionalized surfaces to be as resistant as PEG towards the adsorption of the test proteins fibrinogen, pepsin, albumin, and lysozyme. Moreover, linear polyglycerols adsorb even less proteins from human plasma than a PEG‐modified surface. Additional cell adhesion experiments on linear poly(methyl glycerol) and polyglycerol‐modified surfaces show comparable cell resistance as for a PEG‐modified surface. Also, in the case of long‐term stability, high cell resistance is observed for all samples in medium. Additional in vitro cell‐toxicity tests add to the argument that linear poly(methyl glycerol) and polyglycerol are strong candidates for promising alternatives to PEG, which can easily be modified for biocompatible functionalization of other surfaces.     

Substrate effects in poly(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers on granular and flame-annealed gold

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are surface coatings that efficiently prevent nonspecific adhesion of biomolecules to surfaces. Here, we report on SAM formation of the PEG thiol CH3O(CH2CH2O)17NHCO(CH2)2SH (PEG(17)) on three types of Au films: thermally evaporated granular Au and two types of Au films from hydrogen flame annealing of granular Au, Au(111), and Au silicide. The different Au surfaces clearly affects the morphology and mechanical properties of the PEG(17) SAM, which is shown by AFM topographs and force distance curves. The two types of SAMs found on flame-annealed Au were denoted "soft" and "hard" due to their difference in stiffness and resistance to scratching by the AFM probe. With the aim of nanometer scale patterning of the PEG(17), the SAMs were exposed by low energy (1 kV) electron beam lithography (EBL). Two distinctly different types of behaviour were observed on the different types of SAM; the soft PEG(17) SAM was destroyed in a self-developing process while material deposition was dominant for the hard PEG(17) SAM.     

Micropatterning neuronal cells on polyelectrolyte multilayers

This paper describes an approach to adhere retinal cells on micropatterned polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) lines adsorbed on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces using microfluidic networks. PEMs were patterned on flat, oxidized PDMS surfaces by sequentially flowing polyions through a microchannel network that was placed in contact with the PDMS surface. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were the polyions used as the top layer cellular adhesion material. The microfluidic network was lifted off after the patterning was completed and retinal cells were seeded on the PEM/PDMS surfaces. The traditional practice of using blocking agents to prevent the adhesion of cells on unpatterned areas was avoided by allowing the PDMS surface to return to its uncharged state after the patterning was completed. The adhesion of rat retinal cells on the patterned PEMs was observed 5 h after seeding. Cell viability and morphology on the patterned PEMs were assayed. These materials proved to be nontoxic to the cells used in this study regardless of the number of stacked PEM layers. Phalloidin staining of the cytoskeleton revealed no apparent morphological differences in retinal cells compared with those plated on polystyrene or the larger regions of PEI and PAH; however, cells were relatively more elongated when cultured on the PEM lines. Cell-to-cell communication between cells on adjacent PEM lines was observed as interconnecting tubes containing actin that were a few hundred nanometers in diameter and up to 55 microm in length. This approach provides a simple, fast, and inexpensive method of patterning cells onto micrometer-scale features.     

Directed immobilization of protein-coated nanospheres to nanometer-scale patterns fabricated by electron beam lithography of poly(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers

Controlling the spatial organization of biomolecules on solid supports with high resolution is important for a wide range of scientific and technological problems. Here we report a study of electron beam lithography (EBL) patterning of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of the amide-containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) thiol CH(3)O(CH(2)CH(2)O)(17)NHCO(CH(2))(2)SH on Au and demonstrate the patterning of biomolecular features with dimensions approaching 40 nm. The electron dose dependence of feature size and pattern resolution is studied in detail by atomic force microscopy (AFM), which reveals two distinct patterning mechanisms. At low doses, the pattern formation occurs by SAM ablation in a self-developing process where the feature size is directly dose-dependent. At higher doses, electron beam-induced deposition of material, so-called contamination writing, is seen in the ablated areas of the SAM. The balance between these two mechanisms is shown to depend on the geometry of the pattern. The patterned SAMs were backfilled with fluorescent 40-nm spheres coated with NeutrAvidin. These protein-coated spheres adhered to exposed areas in the SAM with high selectivity. This direct writing approach for patterning bioactive surfaces is a fast and efficient way to produce patterns with a resolution approaching that of single proteins.     

Mussel-inspired anchoring for patterning cells using polydopamine

This Article introduces a simple method of cell patterning, inspired by the mussel anchoring protein. Polydopamine (PDA), artificial polymers made from self-polymerization of dopamine (a molecule that resembles mussel-adhesive proteins), has recently been studied for its ability to make modifications on surfaces in aqueous solutions. We explored the interfacial interaction between PDA and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using microcontact printing (μCP). We patterned PDA on several substrates such as glass, polystyrene, and poly(dimethylsiloxane) and realized spatially defined anchoring of mammalian cells as well as bacteria. We applied our system in investigating the relationship between areas of mammalian nuclei and that of the cells. The combination of PDA and PEG enables us to make cell patterns on common laboratorial materials in a mild and convenient fashion.     

Combination of integrin-binding peptide and growth factor promotes cell adhesion on electron-beam-fabricated patterns

Understanding and controlling cell adhesion on engineered scaffolds is important in biomaterials and tissue engineering. In this report we used an electron-beam (e-beam) lithography technique to fabricate patterns of a cell adhesive integrin ligand combined with a growth factor. Specifically, micron-sized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels with aminooxy- and styrene sulfonate-functional groups were fabricated. Cell adhesion moieties were introduced using a ketone-functionalized arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide to modify the O-hydroxylamines by oxime bond formation. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized by electrostatic interaction with the sulfonate groups. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) formed focal adhesion complexes on RGD- and RGD and bFGF-immobilized patterns as shown by immunostaining of vinculin and actin. In the presence of both bFGF and RGD, cell areas were larger. The data demonstrate confinement of cellular focal adhesions to chemically and physically well-controlled microenvironments created by a combination of e-beam lithography and "click" chemistry techniques. The results also suggest positive implications for addition of growth factors into adhesive patterns for cell-material interactions.     

Spatially controlled cell adhesion via micropatterned surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Spatial control of cell growth on surfaces can be achieved by the selective deposition of molecules that influence cell adhesion. The fabrication of such substrates often relies upon photolithography and requires complex surface chemistry to anchor adhesive and inhibitory molecules. The production of simple, cost-effective substrates for cell patterning would benefit numerous areas of bioanalytical research including tissue engineering and biosensor development. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is routinely used as a biomedical implant material and as a substrate for microfluidic device fabrication; however, the low surface energy and hydrophobic nature of PDMS inhibits its bioactivity. We present a method for the surface modification of PDMS to promote localized cell adhesion and proliferation. Thin metal films are deposited onto PDMS through a physical mask in the presence of a gaseous plasma. This treatment generates topographical and chemical modifications of the polymer surface. Removal of the deposited metal exposes roughened PDMS regions enriched with hydrophilic oxygen-containing species. The morphology and chemical composition of the patterned substrates were assessed by optical and atomic force microscopies as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We observed a direct correlation between the surface modification of PDMS and the micropatterned adhesion of fibroblast cells. This simple protocol generates inexpensive, single-component substrates capable of directing cell attachment and growth.     

Microscale plasma-initiated patterning of electrospun polymer scaffolds

Microscale plasma-initiated patterning (μPIP) is a novel micropatterning technique used to create biomolecular micropatterns on polymer surfaces. The patterning method uses a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp to selectively protect regions of an underlying substrate from oxygen plasma treatment resulting in hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. Preferential adsorption of the biomolecules onto either the plasma-exposed (hydrophilic) or plasma-protected (hydrophobic) regions leads to the biomolecular micropatterns. In the current work, laminin-1 was applied to an electrospun polyamide nanofibrillar matrix following plasma treatment. Radial glial clones (neural precursors) selectively adhered to these patterned matrices following the contours of proteins on the surface. This work demonstrates that textured surfaces, such as nanofibrillar scaffolds, can be micropatterned to provide external chemical cues for cellular organization.     

Photocontrol of cell adhesion on amino-bearing surfaces by reversible conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) via a photocleavable linker

Dynamic control of cell adhesion on substrates is a useful technology in tissue engineering and basic biology. This paper describes a method for the control of cell adhesion on amino-bearing surfaces by reversible conjugation of an anti-fouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), via a newly developed photocleavable linker, 1-(5-methoxy-2-nitro-4-prop-2-ynyloxyphenyl)ethyl N-succinimidyl carbonate (1). This molecule has alkyne and succinimidyl carbonate at each end, which are connected by photocleavable 2-nitrobenzyl ester. Under this molecular design, the molecule crosslinked azides and amines, whose linkage cleaved upon application of near-UV light. By using aminosilanised glass and silicon as model substrates, we studied their reversible surface modification with PEG-azide (M(w) = 5000) based on contact angle measurements, ellipsometry, and AFM morphological observations. Protein adsorption and cell adhesion dramatically changed by PEGylation and the following irradiation, which can be used for cellular patterning. Also, the capability of the substrate to change cell adhesiveness by photoirradiation during cell cultivation was demonstrated by inducing cell migration. We believe this method will be useful for dynamic patterning of cells on protein-based scaffolds.     

Liquid–liquid and liquid–liquid–solid equilibrium in Na2CO3–PEG–H2O

The phase diagram was determined for the Na₂CO₃–PEG–H₂O system at 25°C using PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) with a molecular weight of 4000. Compositions of the liquid–liquid and the liquid–liquid–solid equilibria were determined using calibration curves of density and index of refraction of the solutions, and atomic absorption (AA) and X-ray diffraction analyses were made on the solids. The solid phase in equilibrium with the biphasic region was Na₂CO₃·H₂O. Binodal curves were described using a three-parameter equation. Tie lines were described using the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft correlation’s. Correlation coefficients for all equations exceeded 0.99. The effects of temperature (25 and 40°C) and the molecular weight of the PEG (2000, 3000, and 4000) on the binodal curve were also studied, and it was observed that the size of the biphasic region increased slightly with an increase in these variables.