Microgrooved liquid crystal template with multiple osteoid-like micro-nano structure and physical characteristics for regulating cell polarization and osteogenic differentiation

Abstract

Osteoid guides cell behavior and osteogenesis relying on its subtle topological structure and physical characteristics. However, current researches focus more on the influence of surface engineered topological structures on cell behavior, and the impact of intrinsic micro-nano topological structure and matrix characteristics of osteoid on cell behavior is rarely considered simultaneously. Here, novel microgrooved liquid crystal (LC) hydrogels, with multiple osteoid-like micro-nano topological structure, LC state and viscoelasticity, were constructed by template method using light-curing LC hydrogels as substrates. We found that surface engineered microgrooves and LC micro-nano topological structure can work together to activate the Rho/ROCK pathway of myosin through intracellular mechanotransduction, thus regulating cell adhesion, directional polarization and osteogenic differentiation. More importantly, both the LC state and surface microgrooves can boost protein adsorption and expose more available RGD, thus synergistically promoting cell osteogenic differentiation. This work highlights the synergistic regulation mechanism of surface engineered topological structures and LC intrinsic micro-nano topological structure on osteogenic differentiation, providing valuable insights for the biomimetic construction of bone repair materials.