Cell adhesion control through culture substrate design (Considerations for incorporating molecular mechanisms of adhesion mechanics into biomaterials engineering)

Abstract

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix critically influences essential cellular functions such as proliferation, motility, and differentiation, all of which are crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Achieving precise control over cell adhesion to artificial substrates is a pivotal challenge in biomaterials engineering. This minireview aims to elucidate the multifaceted considerations for substrate surface design, grounded in the detailed molecular mechanisms of the cell adhesion complex. We systematically outline key design variables for controlling cell adhesion, such as the spatial arrangement of adhesion ligands, matrix stiffness, and surface lateral deformation. The review also delves into the emerging role of mechanobiology of membrane glycocalyx, with a particular focus on the impact on the formation of focal adhesion complexes. Collectively, these considerations offer a methodology for fine-tuned control of cell adhesion and its subsequent cellular functions on engineered biomaterials.