Myoblast alignment and differentiation on cell culture substrates with microscale topography and model chemistries

This paper analyzes the alignment and differentiation of myoblast cells adherent to surfaces having model chemistries and microtopographical patterns. The patterns strongly influenced cellular alignment but did not modulate expression of differentiation marker proteins in either primary or C2C12 myoblasts. Topographic patterns consisted of embossed ridges and grooves or arrays of holes, with feature sizes ranging from 5–75 μm. The topographic surfaces were prepared with a uniform self-assembled monolayer that presented CH3 molecules for fibronectin adsorption. The myoblast cell models were cultured in differentiation conditions on the substrates. For both cell models, cells aligned to grooves, with groove width modulating orientation, and preferentially orientated parallel to rows of holes. None of the patterns significantly modulated cell density or differentiation as examined through sarcomeric myosin and acetylcholine receptor expression. The results indicate that for the specific configuration examined, microscale topography modulates myoblast alignment, but does not have significant impact on cell density or differentiation.