The facile generation of two-dimensional stiffness maps in durotactic cell platforms through thickness projections of three-dimensional submerged topography

C H R Kuo; J Láng; O Láng; L Kőhidai; E Sivaniah

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800281-0.00004-X

The facile generation of two-dimensional stiffness maps in durotactic cell platforms through thickness projections of three-dimensional submerged topography

Methods Cell Biol. 2014;121:49-60. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800281-0.00004-X.

Authors

C H R Kuo¹, J Láng², O Láng³, L Kőhidai⁴, E Sivaniah⁵

Affiliations

¹ Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
² Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
³ Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
⁴ Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
⁵ Biological and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

PMID: 24560502
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800281-0.00004-X

Abstract

An innovative platform that aims to facilitate studies of how adherent cells migrate in response to rigidity gradients or durotaxis has been developed. Soft polyacrylamide gel-based cell culture scaffolds are used to fabricate flat surfaces containing elasticity gradients through changes in the underlying patterned features. Moreover, this inert gel surface supports long-term cell viability and offers a tunable stiffness. By manipulating the thickness of the gel substrate through the embedded patterns, this system is also capable of directing collective cell patterning.

Keywords: Cell migration; Durotaxis; Mechanosensing; Scaffolds.

MeSH terms

3T3 Cells
Acrylic Resins
Animals
Cell Adhesion / physiology
Cell Communication / physiology*
Cell Culture Techniques
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement / physiology*
Coated Materials, Biocompatible*
Elasticity
Extracellular Matrix
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Fibroblasts / physiology
Hep G2 Cells
Humans
MCF-7 Cells
Mice
Stress, Mechanical
Surface Properties

Substances

Acrylic Resins
Coated Materials, Biocompatible
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
polyacrylamide gels