Micro+nanotexturing of substrates to enhance ligand-assisted cancer cell isolation

Nanotechnology. 2014 Nov 28;25(47):475102. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/47/475102. Epub 2014 Nov 7.

Abstract

This paper presents a simple approach to create a two-tiered surface for superior cancer cell isolation. The idea is inspired by the interactions of cells with a nanotextured basement membrane. The texture mimicked the extracellular matrix and basement membrane for superior target cell adhesion. Prepared micro+nanotextured surfaces showed enhanced cell capture. Preparation of the two-tiered surface was done using micro- and nanotexturing and was easily reproducible. It has been shown before that the larger surface area of a nanotextured surface assists the cell's attachment through surface-anchored ligands. Taking it a step further, ligand functionalized two-level micro+nanotextured surfaces improved the sensitivity of the cancer cell isolation over simple flat nanotexturing. The isolation efficiency increased by 208% compared to the surface with a single-level nanotexture. The two-tiered surface was compatible with previously reported nanotextured devices used for cancer cell isolation. Micro-texture on the glass surface was created using simple sand gritting, followed by reactive ion etching (RIE) of the entire surface. The approach could create large surface areas within a short time while maintaining superior cell isolation efficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Basement Membrane
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Separation*
  • Extracellular Matrix
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ligands