Studying Cell–Surface Interactions In Vitro: A Survey of Experimental Approaches and Techniques - Tissue Engineering: Cell-Surface Interactions for Tissue Culture - page 34

Contents

1 Cell-Surface Interactions from Two Perspectives ............................................................. 34

2 Hallmarks of Cell Adhesion on In Vitro Surfaces ............................................................ 35

3 Molecular Architecture of Specific Cell-Surface Interactions .......................................... 37

4 Experimental Techniques for Studying Cell-Surface Interactions.................................... 39

4.1 Optical Methods for Studying Cell-Surface Interactions ......................................... 40

4.2 Mechanical Methods for Studying the Stability of Cell-Surface Interactions ........ 46

4.3 Electrochemical Approaches for Studying Cell-Surface Interactions...................... 49

4.4 Acoustic Techniques for Studying Cell-Surface Interactions .................................. 55

5 Synopsis ............................................................................................................................... 64

References.................................................................................................................................. 64

1 Cell-Surface Interactions from Two Perspectives

Cells interact with their environment in many different ways: (1) they generate and
withstand mechanical stress; (2) they secrete and sense individual signal molecules
or molecular cocktails; and (3) they can establish and perceive electrical signals.
In a multi-cellular organism all of these or just a subset may provide important
clues for a cell to differentiate into one specific phenotype with site-specific
functionalities that are important for the organism as a whole. The interactions of
cells with their extracellular environment mediated by cell-surface receptors are of
paramount importance. Besides their mechanical importance for processes like cell
migration during development and wound healing, they provide the basis for
inside-out and outside-in signaling. The non-cellular extracellular environment,
summarized as the extracellular matrix (ECM), is a complex multi-component
mixture consisting of (glyco)-proteins, carbohydrates, low-molecular-weight
compounds, electrolytes and water [ 1 ]. The macromolecules interact with each
other forming a two- or three-dimensional fibrous network that plays a crucial role
in tissue homeostasis, mechanics and functionality. Thus, from this biological
perspective the interactions of cells with biomaterial surfaces within the organism
are critically important for both the cell and the organism.
When cells are isolated from the organism and transferred to an in vitro
environment for biomedical or biotechnological purposes, they may lose their
specific differentiation and functions due to the absence of the three-dimensional
tissue architecture and important molecular clues. In order to maintain the cellular
phenotype in vitro for research, medical approaches or biotechnology applications
it is important to provide a biocompatible environment. Besides the chemical
composition of the growth medium, it is the surface of the cell culture vessels that
is critical for cell survival and fate. In particular, the in vitro culture of anchorage-
dependent cells, which undergo apoptosis unless they can find proper sites for cell
adhesion, relies on tailored in vitro surfaces. Thus, from the perspective of
biotechnology, there is a strong need to understand, develop and refine the