Fibroblast adhesion on unidirectional polymeric nanofilms

Nanotextured polymeric surfaces with inclined rods reveal highly anisotropic properties concerning wetting and adhesion. In this work, we report on the interaction of fibroblast cells with these highly anisotropic materials. The authors quantified removal of adherent cells from such surfaces by a laminar flow. The critical shear force needed for cell removal from the surface depends on the inclination direction. Based on electron microscopy cross sections we deduce that interactions of cellular filopodia extending into the nanotextured surface are causing the direction depending removal.