(88f) Analyzing RT^2 Profiler PCR Arrays to Profile Cell Matrix Interactions on Smart Biomaterials

Thermoresponsive polymers (TRPs) have the potential to redefine cell culture and medicine in the future. These TRPs change their miscibility at a certain temperature (lower critical solution temperature, LCST), allowing for mechanical, as opposed to biochemical, cell release. This maintains cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The gold standard of TRPs is PNIPAM, which is commercially available and has a LCST of 32°C. We have been investigating the biocompatibility of another type of TRPs (copolymers of polymethacrylate and oligoethyleneglycol, PMO), which allows for a tunable LCST between 28 and 90°C. This work investigates the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion on PMO brushes compared to PNIPAM and tissue culture plastic (TCP) on the basis of gene expression and morphological characterization. Gene expression is studied through RT-PCR with a group of genes coding for various extracellular matrix proteins. Experiments were conducted at both 2 and 24 hour time points to study the changes in gene expression over time as cells adhere to the substrates. Results show an increase in cell adhesion and differential gene expression as a function of both TRP substrate and LCST and highlight a potential opportunity to control cell adhesion and drive cell phenotype through the design of TRP substrates.