ABSTRACT

Surface topography plays a c rucial role i n cell-substrate interactions. In a physiological environment, cells respond to nanometric topologies such as brous and porous materials formed by components of the extracellular matrix. Response to na notopographic features (such as grooves, pores, pits, and pillars), though variable from cell type to cell type, has been reported in almost all mammalian cells and expertly reviewed in the l iterature (Bettinger et a l., 2009; Kriparamanan et a l., 2006; Martinez et a l., 2009; Yim and Leong, 2005). Nanostructure shape and dimension, symmetry, and surface area coverage as well as base material play a large part in dictating cell response and changing basic cell behaviorhow t he c ell m ay ad here, s pread, a nd a lign, to sub sequent do wnstream re sponses i n p roliferation, morphology, and di erentiation.