Controlled Arrangement of Neuronal Cells on Surfaces Functionalized with Micropatterned Polymer Brushes

Conventional in vitro cultures are useful to represent simplistic neuronal behavior; however, the lack of organization results in random neurite spreading. To overcome this problem, control over the directionality of SH-SY5Y cells was attained, utilizing photolithography to pattern the cell repulsive anionic brush poly(potassium 3-sulfopropyl methacry-late) (PKSPMA) into tracks of 20, 40, 80, and 100 mu m width. These data validate the use of PKSPMA brush coatings for a long-term culture of the SH-SY5Y cells, as well as providing a methodology by which the precise deposition of PKSPMA can be utilized to achieve a targeted control over the SH-SY5Y cells. Specifically, the PKSPMA brush patterns prevented cell attachment, allowing the SH-SY5Y cells to grow only on noncoated glass (gaps of 20, 50, 75, and 100 mu m width) at different cell densities (5000 10 000 and 15 000 cells/cm(2)). This research demonstrates the importance of achieving cell directionality in vitro, while these simplistic models could provide new platforms to study complex neuron-neuron interactions.