PDMS substrate stiffness affects the morphology and growth profiles of cancerous prostate and melanoma cells

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2015 Jan:41:13-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.09.020. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

Abstract

A deep understanding of the interaction between cancerous cells and surfaces is particularly important for the design of lab-on-chip devices involving the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). In our studies, the effect of PDMS substrate stiffness on mechanical properties of cancerous cells was investigated in conditions where the PDMS substrate is not covered with any of extracellular matrix proteins. Two human prostate cancer (Du145 and PC-3) and two melanoma (WM115 and WM266-4) cell lines were cultured on two groups of PDMS substrates that were characterized by distinct stiffness, i.e. 0.75 ± 0.06 MPa and 2.92 ± 0.12 MPa. The results showed the strong effect on cellular behavior and morphology. The detailed analysis of chemical and physical properties of substrates revealed that cellular behavior occurs only due to substrate elasticity.

Keywords: Cancer cell growth profile; PDMS stiffness; Poly(dimethyl)siloxane (PDMS) surface; Prostate and melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / pharmacology*
  • Elasticity
  • Fibrinogen / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mechanical Phenomena*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Microchip Analytical Procedures
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • baysilon
  • Fibrinogen