Cancer cell survival in orientational patterns predesigned by liquid crystal networks

A growing body of research highlights the significance of orientational order in the development and functioning of individual cells and tissues. Orientational order serves as a guiding rail in phenomena such as cell division and navigation in various microenvironments. We hypothesize that the orientational patterns of cells in tissues can determine the fate of both cells and tissues, and thus have high therapeutic value. Past research established that the genetic and biochemical features of cells could affect their alignment and spatial patterns in tissues; however, very little is known about the reverse effect of orientational patterns on the properties of tissues. In this work, we develop an approach to impart orientational stresses on breast cancer tissues and explore their survival as a function of the gradients of the director field. A photo-aligned liquid crystal network substrate controls the alignment of the cells. Living cells seeded on such a substrate follow the network director, thus replicating the predesigned pattern of the orientational order. We demonstrate that orientational stresses affect cell morphology, including size and shape, as well as their survival after treatment with anti-cancer drugs.