(116p) Directed Growth of Endothelial Progenitor Cells through the Use of Microcontact Printing

In the past few years, Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) have been discovered and examined for their role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Currently, the formation of small tubular systems with EPCs is restricted due to the formation of undirected and random networks. The goal of this project is to create patterns on glass surfaces that allow control over where cells adhere and grow. Microcontact Printing methods (µCP) were used to imprint glass slides with Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) in ridged patterns of varying widths. Fibronectin, an extracellular matrix protein, was then bound to the OTS to provide a binding surface for the cells. The EPCs were seeded and the growth patterns were examined at varying ridge sizes. Adhesion was observed, with varying densities of cells per ridge. The growth patterns were documented at four, twelve, and twenty-four hours after initial cell seeding. At that point the cells were fixed and then fluorescently stained with anti-VE-Cadherin, Lectin, and DAPI.