Designing tailored biomaterial surfaces to direct keratinocyte morphology, attachment, and differentiation.

Precisely engineering the surface chemistry of biomaterials to modulate the adsorption and functionality of biochemical signaling molecules that direct cellular functions is critical in the development of tissue engineered scaffolds. Specifically, this study describes the use of functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as a model system to assess the effects of biomaterial surface properties on controlling fibronectin (FN) conformation and concentration as well as keratinocyte function. By systematically analyzing FN adsorption at low and saturated surface densities, we distinguished between SAM-dependent effects of FN concentration and conformation on presenting cellular binding domains that direct cellular functions. Quantitative image analyses of immunostained samples showed that modulating the availability of the FN synergy site directly correlated with changes in keratinocyte attachment, spreading, and differentiation, through integrin-mediated signaling mechanisms. The results of this study will be used to elucidate design features that can be incorporated into dermal equivalents and percutaneous implants to enhance the rate of re-epithelialization and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, these findings indicate that SAM-based model systems are a valuable tool for designing and investigating the development of scaffolds that regulate the conformation of extracellular matrix cues and cellular functions that accelerate the rate of tissue regeneration.

An efficient oxygen independent two-photon photosensitization mechanism.

A novel oxygen-independent photosensitization mechanism from the upper triplet state (Tn) of rose bengal has been demonstrated by selectively populating Tn by sequential two-color laser excitation. Products formed from Tn inhibit red blood cell acetylcholinesterase and decrease viability of P388D1 mouse macrophage monocyte cells as measured by trypan blue exclusion assay. Laser flash photolysis studies indicate that Tn reacts efficiently, as evidenced by permanent photobleaching of T1 absorption, with chemical yields approaching unit efficiency. This mechanism may have application for oxygen deficient photosensitization under high intensity, pulsed laser irradiation.