Unidirectional migration of single smooth muscle cells under the synergetic effects of gradient swelling cue and parallel groove patterns

• A swelling gradient is generated on groove patterned surfaces.
• The synergetic surface topography and swelling gradient achieves directional migration of single cells.
• The cell migration rate is dominated by surface swelling gradient rather than topography.

The air-plasma treated poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane with linear grooves and ridges is alternately assembled with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) multilayers, which is then treated in a gradient solution of 3–5 M NaCl, with the pattern direction parallel to the gradient. The synergetic effects of the surface topography and swelling gradient can effectively guide the unidirectional migration of single smooth muscle cells without impairment of their migration rate.

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