Micro- and nanopatterned surfaces for guided adhesion, growth and phenotypic maturation of cells

Micropatterned surfaces were created by UV light-irradiation of polytetrafluoroethylene through a metallic mask, by successive plasma polymerization of acrylic acid and 1,7-octadiene, or by creation of prominences and grooves by deposition of fullerenes C60 through a metallic mask. All these surface types were capable of inducing regionally-selective adhesion, proliferation and phenotypic maturation of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells or human bone-derived MG 63 cells. Nanopatterned surfaces created by tethering GRGDSG oligopeptides through polyethylene oxide chains on a polymeric surface promoted spreading, formation of focal adhesion plaques and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells. Surfaces nanopatterned with nanocrystalline diamond gave good support for the adhesion, growth and metabolic activity of osteoblast-like MG 63 cells.