Nanoparticle Multilayers: Surface Modification for Cell Attachment and Growth

A novel, inexpensive and simple approach for surface modification using layer-by-layer assembly of nanoparticles for cell attachment is proposed. We report attachment, proliferation and expression of cell phenotype directly on nanoparticle thin films produced by layer-by-layer assembly. Spherical titanium dioxide and silica, plane montmorillonite and tubular halloysite nanoparticles were assembled in alternation with oppositely charged linear polyelectrolytes through layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly. Human dermal fibroblasts were used as a model cell type for cytotoxicity and cell behavior studies. Nanoparticle coating had little toxic effects and minimum cell death was observed. Cell proliferation was supported on all substrate surfaces as evidenced by qualitative analysis. Type I collagen immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that fibroblasts maintained their cellular phenotype on the nanoparticle thin films. Fibroblast cell attachment and spreading was faster on halloysite and titanium dioxide coated substrates.