Influence of 3D Microgrooves on C2C12 Cell Proliferation, Migration, Alignment, F-actin Protein Expression and Gene Expression

In this paper, we fabricated three kinds of 3D microgrooves with different depth on biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) substrate via combination of soft-lithography and melt-casting methods, and investigated in detail their influence on C2C12 cell behaviors. It is found that cell proliferation, migration, alignment, spatial distribution, F-actin protein expression and gene expression are all remarkably distinct on these microgrooved samples and the smooth control PLGA substrate. The associated underlying mechanisms were further analyzed and discussed using real-time living cell monitoring, confocal laser scanning microscopy and gene microarray. Our preliminary results suggested that 3D microstructure could affect cell behaviors in a much more extensive manner than what we had understood before.