Micro-scale cell patterning on nonfouling plasma polymerized tetraglyme coatings by protein microcontact printing

Nonfouling thin films were prepared by the plasma deposition of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (pp4G) on fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer (FEP) and glass substrates. Ordered cell patterns were created on these surfaces by microcontact printing of proteins. Pp4G was found to be stable in aqueous environments and resistant to an ethanol sterilization procedure, as verified by surface analysis. Pp4G also reduced nonspecific protein adsorption by more than 65-fold before and after sterilization. Despite the low adsorption of proteins to pp4G in solution, protein microcontact printing was achieved and we were able to print laminin, an adhesive extracellular matrix protein, from an elastomeric stamp onto pp4G. The printed laminin supported the attachment and spreading of cardiomyocytes and the nonprinted pp4G regions remained cell repulsive in culture conditions. Microscale patterns of cardiomyocytes were maintained on printed pp4G for more than 7 days. This cell patterning process should be viable for other cell types. The potential applications include tissue engineering and microdevices for biosensor, diagnostic, and pharmacological applications.