Curvature-dependent adhesion dynamics of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts on silica bead arrays

Abstract

Cells dynamically interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), integrating biochemical and biophysical cues to regulate key processes such as morphology, adhesion, and migration. To replicate these interactions in a controlled system, we designed biomimetic nanostructured surfaces composed of hexagonally close-packed silica bead (SB) arrays, where surface curvature is dynamically modulated using liquid-phase deposition (LPD). As a result of the LPD treatment, the effective bead radius increased from 405 nm to 457.9 nm, allowing precise modulation of nanoscale surface curvature. By systematically quantifying curvature-dependent cellular responses, we demonstrate that cells preferentially localize to regions of lower curvature, exhibiting distinct morphological adaptations and adhesion dynamics. Live-cell imaging and quantitative analyses reveal that surface topography directly influences cytoskeletal architecture and focal adhesion organization during migration across SB arrays, leading to curvature-specific differences in adhesion stability and migration efficiency. In particular, curvature variations significantly affect adhesion stability and migratory behavior, highlighting the critical role of geometric cues in cellular dynamics. These findings link dynamic curvature variations to cellular adaptation, providing a framework for designing microenvironments that regulate cell-substrate interactions.