Nanotexturing Gold Surfaces with Dendrimers for Selective Cell Adhesion

By creating a nanotexture consisting of a monolayer of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers on a gold surface, we have achieved a potentially versatile method for selectively and predictably adhering cells onto manufactured gold constructs. METHODS: We manufactured 3×3 gold spot arrays on glass slides and applied continuous culture cells (SH-SY5Y) and primary neurons (rat dorsal root ganglion cells) and monitored cell preference and morphology on the nanotextured surfaces. Additionally, by applying our techniques for gold-surface glass chamber slides, we assayed each cell population for total number of adhering cells and β1-integrin expression to monitor cell preference and activity, respectively. These results were compared to traditional poly-D-lysine coatings. RESULTS: Both SH-SY5Y cells and the rat DRG cells adhered preferentially to the nanotextured gold spots versus adjacent glass areas, while no preference for either the non-textured gold or glass surfaces were observed. Cells more readily adhered to the nanotextured surfaces, while β1-integrin expression appears reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The use of G5 dendrimer monolayers appears to selectively grow cells, without necessarily relying on integrin expression.