Evaluation of initial cell adhesion on poly (2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) analogous polymers

Cell adhesion is a major concern in biomaterial development. Generally, cells adhere to polymeric substrates via the interaction between integrins and proteins adsorbed on the substrates. Previously, it was reported that poly (2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) and its analogous polymers can alter the integrin dependency for cell adhesion. In particular, integrin-independent adhesion was observed on PMEA. However, initial adhesion mechanisms, including integrin-independent adhesion mechanisms, on PMEA are not well characterized. In this study, initial cell adhesion within 10 min was characterized on PMEA analogous polymers. Protein adsorption was suppressed on PMEA compared with tissue culture polystyrene, but the cell adhesion site in adsorbed fibronectin was exposed to the cells similarly. HT-1080 cells adhered on PMEA in a serum medium even in the presence of EDTA, suggesting that the cells adhered via both integrin-dependent and integrin-independent mechanisms. Finally, the cell adhesion force was measured by single-cell force spectroscopy. The cell adhesion force was not changed on PMEA in serum and serum-free media, suggesting that the cells adhered on PMEA directly. In conclusion, the control of protein adsorption is useful for regulating integrin dependency for cell adhesion and following the expression of cell functions regulated by integrins.