Controlling the lateral distribution and alignment of human gingival fibroblasts by micropatterned polysaccharide surfaces

Adhesion and alignment of primary human gingival fibroblast to Petri dishes were controlled by proper modification of the surface chemistry of the solid substrate. In particular, air plasma (glow-discharge) treatment, coupled to a masking technique, was used to pattern cell-adhesive areas on a cell-adhesion-resistant alginate coated surface. Fibroblasts were successfully confined to the air plasma-treated areas, which show a much greater growth rate and cell density as compared to the original alginate coated surface. Beside the implications for the study of the mechanisms of bio-adhesion at hydrophilic surfaces, these systems can be of interest for a number of applications in dental surgery and materials.