Cell Proliferation on Curved and Compliant Surfaces

Understanding aberrant epithelial collective cell growth is vital to addressing diseases such as cancer and organ fibrosis. The conditions of the extracellular microenvironment, including interfacial properties of the substratum (the surface in contact with epithelial cells) have a significant influence on the epithelial cell migration and proliferation. This work focuses on understanding the impact the substratum curvature has on cell behavior. We monitor the proliferation of MDCK epithelial cells on both planar and curved hydrogel substrates. The hydrogels used are made of polyacrylamide, and the curved surfaces have toroidal shape, with tube radius on the order of 200 um and an aspect ratio range between 1 to 10. Proliferation is quantified by identifying cells synthesizing DNA at fixed time points. The extend of proliferation and patterns they create on curved and planar substrates are compared.