Anisotropically Stiff 3D Micropillar Niche Induces Extraordinary Cell Alignment and Elongation.

Alapan, Yunus; Younesi, Mousa; Akkus, Ozan; Gurkan, Umut A · Adv Healthc Mater · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A microfabricated pillar substrate is developed to confine, align, and elongate cells, allowing decoupled analysis of stiffness and directionality in 3D. Mesenchymal stem cells and cardiomyocytes are successfully confined in a 3D environment with precisely tunable stiffness anisotropy. It is discovered that anisotropically stiff micropillar substrates provide cellular confinement in 3D, aligning cells in the stiffer direction with extraordinary elongation.

Medical subject headings