Micropatterned polyacrylamide gel for investigating the effect of compliant, fiber-like topology on cell behaviors

In vivo, cells encounter an architecturally rich microenvironment comprising of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) and neighboring cells arranged with topographical and spatial features that influences their behavior. While traditional 2D cell culture techniques do not incorporate these structural aspects of the microenvironment, recent progress in micropatterning techniques has enabled precise control of those parameters. Confinement of cells to single dimensions is physiologically relevant for emulating 3D migration on fibers. Here we describe a microcontact printing approach for patterning an elastic polyacrylamide (PAAm) substrate to provide a suitable platform for probing cellular processes under physiologically relevant conditions. Collagen was successfully patterned along high aspect ratio stripes of varying widths on PAAm substrates. Normal mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells adhered and spread within the micropatterns.