Arbitrary, Complex Cell Patterning via Inkjet Printing of a Cell Membrane-Anchoring Polymer

Abstract

Well-defined cell patterns, including both adherent and non-adherent cells, were created using piezoelectric inkjet printing of a cell membrane-anchoring polymer composed of a hydrophobic oleyl group, a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain, and an amino-reactive N-hydroxy-succinimide (NHS) end group. Various complex living cell patterns were created by surface engineering in which inkjet-printed, membrane-anchoring polymer patterns controlled the geometric distributions of immobilized cells. Non-adherent (SNU-620) and adherent cells (HeLa) were stably anchored and patterned on a glass substrate through interactions between cell membranes and the hydrophobic oleyl groups. The effects of an apoptosis inducer (staurosporine) and an anticancer drug (paclitaxel)were visualized on cells immobilized on the polymer-printed patterns. This approach may have broad utility in most advanced biomedical devices requiring miniaturized and precisely controlled living cell patterns.