Directing cell function and fate via micropatterning: Role of cell patterning size, shape, and interconnectivity

Ishwari Poudel, Daniel E. Menter, Jung Yul Lim

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Micropatterning-based geometric cell confinement provides novel templates for investigating cellular function and fate. Cell size, shape, and degree of connectivity among cells can be systematically manipulated using micropatterning, allowing for the studies of the effects of patterned cell geometries on cell behavior. Cells conformed to micropatterns develop unique intracellular architectures and signaling activities, regulating cell proliferation, migration, survival/apoptosis, commitment, and differentiation. Cell patterning size controls cell survival and apoptosis and stem cell fate via cytoskeletal tension signaling such as RhoA-ROCK. Cell patterning shape affects cell growth and migration via altered cellular polarity and Rac1 signaling. Modulation of cell-cell interconnectivity via micropatterning affects proliferation and differentiation via regulating the expression of cell-cell interaction molecules such as cadherin. Systematic assessment of cell function and fate using micropatterned cells will shed new insights for understanding the mechanisms in cell and molecular biology studies and for the control of cell behavior in biomedical applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)38-45
Number of pages8
JournalBiomedical Engineering Letters
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • Cell size
  • Geometric confinement
  • Interconnectivity
  • Micropatterning
  • Shape

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering

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