Nanometer-scale physically adsorbed thermoresponsive films for cell culture

Physical adsorption was used to produce nanometer thick thermoresponsive films with a view to nonenzymatic cell detachment. Two polymers were investigated, poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-tertbutylacrylamide). Substrates were prepared above and below the polymers’ LCST to investigate the effect of polymer conformation on the prepared substrates. Endothelial cells were seeded on the prepared films; cell proliferation was higher on the films produced below the polymers’ LCST than on those prepared above and cells detached from the surfaces upon temperature reduction. Physical adsorption of poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide)–based films is a viable approach to produce substrates compliant with cell growth and temperature modulated detachment.