Peptide-presenting two-dimensional protein matrix on supported lipid bilayers: an efficient platform for cell adhesion.

Understanding and controlling cell adhesion to biomaterials and synthetic materials are important issues in basic research and applied sciences. Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) functionalized with cell adhesion peptides linked to lipid molecules are popular platforms of cell adhesion. In this paper, an alternative approach of peptide presentation is presented in which peptides are stereo-selectively linked to proteins self-assembling in a rigid two-dimensional (2D) matrix on SLBs. Annexin-A5 (Anx5) was used as prototype protein for its known properties of forming stable and rigid 2D matrices on lipid surfaces. Two types of Anx5-peptide complexes, containing either a RGD or an IKVAV sequence, were synthesized. The authors show that both Anx5-peptide complexes present the same properties of binding and 2D organization on lipid surfaces as Anx5, when investigated by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Anx5-RGD and Anx5-IKVAV 2D matrices were found to promote specific adhesion of human saphenous vein endothelial cells and mouse embryonic stem cells, respectively. The influence of the surface density of exposed peptides on cell adhesion was investigated, showing that cells attach to Anx5-peptide matrices when the average distance between peptides is smaller than about 60 nm. This cell adhesion platform provides control of the orientation and density of cell ligands, opening interesting possibilities for future applications.