Stable Non-Covalent Large Area Patterning of Inert Teflon-AF Surface: A New Approach to Multiscale Cell Guidance

Micro- and nano-patterning of cell adhesion proteins is demonstrated to direct the growth of neural cells, viz, human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y, at precise positions on a strongly antifouling substrate of technolological interest. We adopt a soft-lithographic approach with oxygen plasma modified PDMS stamps to pattern human laminin on Teflon-AF films. These patterns are based on the interplay of capillary forces within the stamp and non-covalent intermolecular and surface interactions. Remarkably, they remain stable for several days upon cell culture conditions. The fabrication of substrates with adjacent antifouling and adhesion-promoting regions allows us to reach absolute spatial control in the positioning of neuroblastoma cells on the Teflon-AF films. This patterning approach of a technologically-relevant substrate can be of interest in tissue engineering and biosensing