Supervisors info:
Αθανασία Σιαφάκα- Καπάδαη Καθηγήτρια Ε.Κ.Π.Α. (επιβλέπουσα), Σωτήριος Κακαμπάκος Ερευνητής Α΄ Ε.Κ.Ε.Φ.Ε. "Δημόκριτος", Μαργαρίτα Χατζηχριστίδη Λέκτορας Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Summary:
In the context of this thesis, the selective adhesion and viability as well as
the effects on morphology of cells when cultured on silicon surfaces with
photolithographically patterned film of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was
evaluated. The cell lines U-87MG, PC-12 and human chondrocytes were used in
this study. For the PC-12 cell line, which requires modification of surfaces
with collagen type IV in order to adhere on the surfaces, it was found that the
photolithographic process did not affect the immobilized collagen. In addition,
it was found that, the optimum line width for the PC-12 cell line was between
10 and 15 μm, since on those surfaces the cells grew selectively across the
collagen lines and not on the PVA. When the cells where cultured on surfaces
with optimum line width in presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), they
differentiated and grew neuritis across the patterns. For the cells U-87MG, the
optimum line width for selective adhesion and guided growth was 22.5 μm.
Finally, the selective adhesion and dedifferentiation of human chondrocytes on
surfaces with circular areas with diameter ranging from 8 to 100 μm surrounded
by cross-linked PVA was investigated. It was found that selective adhesion and
growth of single chondrocytes was achieved on patterns with diameter of 50 μm
and pitch 100 μm. In addition, it was determined that aggrecan expression was 4
times higher for cells cultured on patterned surfaces as compared to those
cultured on standard culture dishes. This finding indicates dedifferentiation
of chondrocytes when cultured on the patterned surfaces. Thus, the proposed
method for surface patterning can provide surfaces appropriate for selective
immobilization and guided growth of cells and can be used for in vitro studies
for their biological properties.
Keywords:
Selective adhesion, Photolithography, Poly(vinyl alcohol), Redifferentiation, Dedifferentiation
