We create a series of poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates mimicking extracellular matrices (ECMs) to study ECM-dependent vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) behavior, including a 1D sinusoidal wrinkle pattern and a composite structure combining a 2D pillar array with wrinkles. By culturing SMCs on the wrinkled substrates, we show that SMC alignment can be guided by the topography of the underlying substrate. The alignment effect can be masked by adding pillars or coating with tenascin-C (a glycoprotein that is induced in pathological conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)) on the wrinkles. Cells on altered substrates exhibited longer filopodia, suggesting that the cells were continuously probing the underlying substrate. Our preliminary study indicates that SMCs respond to both surface geometry and composition. These studies are important in understanding the effect of ECM on the SMC behavior, leading to better design of diagnostic devices and therapies for diseases associated with ECM remodeling (e.g. PAH).

Wrinkled elastomers for probing smooth muscle cells

244th National Meeting (2012)

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