Confluent and aligned growth of endothelial cells on nanoparticle arrays through focal adhesion and endocytitic mechanisms

摘要

The ability to endothelialize and form monolayers of endothelial cells on a substrate could improve the performance of artificial small diameter vascular grafts. It has been shown that microscale technologies and bioactive ligands can promote cell adhesion, guide migration, and manipulate proliferation of endothelial cells1'2. Furthermore, nanopatterns can influence endothelial cell adhesion and enhance cell retention under shear stress3.