Unidirectional migration of single smooth muscle cells under the synergetic effects of gradient swelling cue and parallel groove patterns

The air-plasma treated poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane with linear grooves and ridges is alternately assembled with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) multilayers, which is then treated in a gradient solution of 3–5 M NaCl, with the pattern direction parallel to the gradient. The synergetic effects of the surface topography and swelling gradient can effectively guide the unidirectional migration of single smooth muscle cells without impairment of their migration rate.