Amphiphilic cationic cyclodextrin nanovesicles: a versatile cue for guiding cell adhesion

• DOI: 10.1039/d0na00623h
• Publication Date: 2020-11-12T17:50:55Z
• Authors: Francesco Valle; Silvia Tortorella; Angela Scala; Annalaura Cordaro; Marianna Barbalin...; Fabio Biscarini; Antonino Mazzaglia
• Keywords: Cationic polymerization; Surface Modification; Fluorescein isothiocyanate; Internalization

It is well known that amphiphilic cationic β-cyclodextrins (amβCDs) form nanovesicles able to release their cargo in aqueous solution upon applying different stimuli. In addition they can be selectively positioned onto substrates by unconventional soft lithography. This makes them a powerful tool for designing environments where cues externally supplied the cells helping achieve good control of fate. Lithographically controlled wetting (LCW) amβCD loaded with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), amβCD/FITC, has been used here fabricate geometrically functionalized surfaces, thus achieving multiscale cell environment. The functionalization was strongly influenced surface energy underlying that, according hydrophobicity, orient way, "offering" portions cells. structure pattern characterized both over large scales exploiting FITC fluorescence and at nanoscale atomic force microscopy. Cell guidance aCD/FITC internalization were demonstrated human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y