{"title":"Study of cell migration trajectory on two-dimensional continuous stiffness gradient surface edited by grayscale photopolymerization.","authors":"Kin Fong Lei, Kuo-Cheng Bai, Ping-Ching Pai","doi":"10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126899","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In native tissues, cells encounter a diverse range of stiffness, which can significantly affect their behavior and function. The ability of cells to sense and respond to these mechanical cues is essential for various physiological processes, including cell migration. Cell migration is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, with substrate stiffness emerging as a critical determinant. This study developed a technique to edit the stiffness of polyacrylamide (PAA) hydrogel substrates by adjusting the grayscale level of a photomask during photopolymerization. By analyzing cell morphologies on the hydrogel, we confirmed the development of a single PAA hydrogel substrate with continuous stiffness gradients. This method was used to explore the correlation between substrate stiffness and cell migration dynamics. The study found that cells typically migrated from softer to stiffer surfaces. When the cells initially located on stiffer surfaces, they were able to travel longer distances. Additionally, a continuous 2D stiffness gradient surface was fabricated to explore how cells migrate on smoother versus steeper stiffness gradients. The results showed that cells tended to migrate more readily on smoother stiffness gradient surfaces compared to steeper ones. This study provides valuable insights into cell migration dynamics on substrates with varying stiffness gradients. The results underscore the importance of the mechanical environment in cancer cell migration and offer promising directions for developing interventions to prevent cancer spread.</p>","PeriodicalId":435,"journal":{"name":"Talanta","volume":"281 ","pages":"126899"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Talanta","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126899","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/9/16 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In native tissues, cells encounter a diverse range of stiffness, which can significantly affect their behavior and function. The ability of cells to sense and respond to these mechanical cues is essential for various physiological processes, including cell migration. Cell migration is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, with substrate stiffness emerging as a critical determinant. This study developed a technique to edit the stiffness of polyacrylamide (PAA) hydrogel substrates by adjusting the grayscale level of a photomask during photopolymerization. By analyzing cell morphologies on the hydrogel, we confirmed the development of a single PAA hydrogel substrate with continuous stiffness gradients. This method was used to explore the correlation between substrate stiffness and cell migration dynamics. The study found that cells typically migrated from softer to stiffer surfaces. When the cells initially located on stiffer surfaces, they were able to travel longer distances. Additionally, a continuous 2D stiffness gradient surface was fabricated to explore how cells migrate on smoother versus steeper stiffness gradients. The results showed that cells tended to migrate more readily on smoother stiffness gradient surfaces compared to steeper ones. This study provides valuable insights into cell migration dynamics on substrates with varying stiffness gradients. The results underscore the importance of the mechanical environment in cancer cell migration and offer promising directions for developing interventions to prevent cancer spread.
期刊介绍:
Talanta provides a forum for the publication of original research papers, short communications, and critical reviews in all branches of pure and applied analytical chemistry. Papers are evaluated based on established guidelines, including the fundamental nature of the study, scientific novelty, substantial improvement or advantage over existing technology or methods, and demonstrated analytical applicability. Original research papers on fundamental studies, and on novel sensor and instrumentation developments, are encouraged. Novel or improved applications in areas such as clinical and biological chemistry, environmental analysis, geochemistry, materials science and engineering, and analytical platforms for omics development are welcome.
Analytical performance of methods should be determined, including interference and matrix effects, and methods should be validated by comparison with a standard method, or analysis of a certified reference material. Simple spiking recoveries may not be sufficient. The developed method should especially comprise information on selectivity, sensitivity, detection limits, accuracy, and reliability. However, applying official validation or robustness studies to a routine method or technique does not necessarily constitute novelty. Proper statistical treatment of the data should be provided. Relevant literature should be cited, including related publications by the authors, and authors should discuss how their proposed methodology compares with previously reported methods.