Cell adhesion to polymeric surfaces: Experimental study and simple theoretical approach

In a medium without serum, the initial adhesion of L1210 cells to nonsulfon ated and sulfonated polymer surfaces was investigated. In the case of sulfo nated polymer surfaces, the relative number of adhering cells strongly incr eases with an increase of the interfacial surface tension; that is, adhesio n strongly depends on the surface density of sulfonic groups. However, in t he case of nonsulfonated polymer surfaces, the relative number of adhering cells is high and independent of the interfacial surface tension. To extend the basic knowledge of these phenomena, a semiempirical quantum chemical c omputational study was undertaken. Simple probe molecules were chosen that mimick the chemical properties of functional groups present on polymeric su rfaces. The energies of interaction between these molecules and ones repres enting the midchain polypeptide building blocks were calculated. To discuss the steric effects involved in similar interactions on real surfaces, a si mple model of polymeric surfaces was proposed. Also the interactions among such surfaces and the short hydrated polypeptide chain were studied at the molecular mechanics level of theory. The derived intermolecular energy para meter was found to change in parallel to the number of adhered cells within the two groups of substrata under study: nonsulfonated and sulfonated. The computational results suggest the possible existence of differently arrang ed cell membrane protein centers responsible for docking to these two types of surfaces. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.