Light-responsive hierarchically structured liquid crystal polymer networks for harnessing cell adhesion and migration

G. Koçer, J. ter Schiphorst, M. Hendrikx, H.G. Kassa, P.E.L.G. Leclère, A.P.H.J. Schenning, P. Jonkheijm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

96 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Extracellular microenvironment is highly dynamic where spatiotemporal regulation of cell-instructive cues such as matrix topography tightly regulates cellular behavior. Recapitulating dynamic changes in stimuli-responsive materials has become an important strategy in regenerative medicine to generate biomaterials which closely mimic the natural microenvironment. Here, light responsive liquid crystal polymer networks are used for their adaptive and programmable nature to form hybrid surfaces presenting micrometer scale topographical cues and changes in nanoscale roughness at the same time to direct cell migration. This study shows that the cell speed and migration patterns are strongly dependent on the height of the (light-responsive) micrometer scale topographies and differences in surface nanoroughness. Furthermore, switching cell migration patterns upon in situ temporal changes in surface nanoroughness, points out the ability to dynamically control cell behavior on these surfaces. Finally, the possibility is shown to form photoswitchable topographies, appealing for future studies where topographies can be rendered reversible on demand.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1606407
Number of pages7
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume29
Issue number27
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • biointerfaces
  • cell–biomaterial interactions
  • liquid crystals
  • stimuli-responsive topographies

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