Nanoprinting onto cells

Abstract

Growing cells on surfaces bearing nanotopography signals makes many changes in cell gene expression and downstream changes in phenotype but the mechanisms for this have, so far, been obscure. We consider the question of whether the topography directly nanoimprints onto the cell as a component of the signal transduction system. Evidence we present from SEM, TEM and fluorescence detection of the arrangements of cytoskeletal components is consistent with the possibility that cells are nanoimprinted by the substrate. The nanoprinting does not interfere with integrin-mediated adhesion processes and may perhaps work through them. Time-lapse video studies of cells moving from areas bearing nanotopography to flat areas and vice versa suggests that the nanoimprinting takes 1–6 h to appear on the cell and a similar time to disappear when the cell moves from a flat surface to a nanotopographic one and back. This nanoprinting of cells would appear to be a novel type of cell signalling.