Controlling Cell Behavior through the Design of Biomaterial Surfaces: A Focus on Surface Modification Techniques

TLDR

Surface interactions at the biomaterial–cell interface are essential for cell functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and can be modulated by bioactive ligands and physical or chemical strategies to trigger specific signaling for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The study describes material–cell interface interactions, discusses how surface properties influence cell function, and reviews recent surface modification methods and the impact of bulk material properties on cellular responses. The authors systematically highlight recent surface modification techniques and examine how bulk material properties affect cellular responses.

Abstract

Abstract Surface interaction at the biomaterial–cell interface is essential for a variety of cellular functions, such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Nevertheless, changes in the biointerface enable to trigger specific cell signaling and result in different cellular responses. In order to manufacture biomaterials with higher functionality, biomaterials containing immobilized bioactive ligands have been widely introduced and employed for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Moreover, a number of physical and chemical strategies have been used to improve the functionality of biomaterials and specifically at the material interface. Here, the interactions between materials and cells at the interface levels are described. Then, the importance of surface properties in cell function is discussed and recent methods for surface modifications are systematically highlighted. Additionally, the impact of bulk material properties on the cellular responses is briefly reviewed.