Decreased breast adenocarcinoma cell functions on select polymer nanometer surface features

Biomaterial nanotopographies have been proposed as a means to significantly influence cell functions (including osteoblasts, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, chondrocytes, immune cells, bacteria, etc.). In this study, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis by breast adenocarcinoma cells on poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) films with various nanotopographies was investigated. Importantly, this study created PLGA films with various nanotopographies but similar surface chemistry in order to focus only on the effect of topography on cancer cell functions. Simple and effective cast-molding and solvent evaporation methods were used to accomplish this. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and water contact angle measurements verified similar surface chemistry but varied topographies for all of the PLGA films prepared in this study. Cell experiment results demonstrated decreased breast carcinoma cell VEGF (a key growth factor secreted for vascularization of tumors) synthesis on the 23 nm surface featured PLGA compared to the nano-smooth substrates for up to 5 days. This result matches lung carcinoma cell VEGF synthesis in prior research. In summary, these results provided useful insights into understanding of the role nanotopography may play in mediating breast adenocarcinoma cell functions for a wide range of applications in regenerative medicine.