1 research outputs found
Membrane Pore Spacing Can Modulate Endothelial Cell–Substrate and Cell–Cell Interactions
Mechanical
cues and substrate interaction affect the manner in
which cells adhere, spread, migrate and form tissues. With increased
interest in tissue-on-a-chip and coculture systems utilizing porous
membranes, it is important to understand the role of disrupted surfaces
on cellular behavior. Using a transparent glass membrane with defined
pore geometries, we investigated endothelial fibronectin fibrillogenesis
and formation of focal adhesions as well as development of intercellular
junctions. Cells formed fewer focal adhesions and had shorter fibronectin
fibrils on porous membranes compared to nonporous controls, which
was similar to cell behavior on continuous soft substrates with Young’s
moduli 7 orders of magnitude lower than glass. Additionally, porous
membranes promoted enhanced cell–cell interactions as evidenced
by earlier formation of tight junctions. These findings suggest that
porous membranes with discontinuous surfaces promote reduced cell–matrix
interactions similarly to soft substrates and may enhance tissue and
barrier formation