Phototriggered fibril-like environments arbitrate cell escapes and migration from endothelial monolayers.

Cell detachment and migration from the endothelium occurs during vasculogenesis and also in pathological states. Here, we use a novel approach to trigger single cell release from an endothelial monolayer by in-situ opening of adhesive, fibril-like environment using light-responsive ligands and scanning lasers. Cell escapes from the monolayer were observed on the fibril-like adhesive tracks with 3-15 μm width.