Biomimetic peptide surfaces that regulate adhesion, spreading, cytoskeletal organization, and mineralization of the matrix deposited by osteoblast-like cells.

In an effort to regulate mammalian cell behavior in contact with solid material surfaces, we have functionalized surfaces with different ratios of both the putative cell binding (-Arg-Gly-Asp-) domain and a consensus heparan-binding domain. The peptide sequences -Arg-Gly-Asp- (-RGD-) and -Phe-His-Arg-Arg-Ile-Lys-Ala- (-FHRRIKA-) or mixtures of the two in the ratios of 75:25 (mimetic peptide surface I), 25:75 (mimetic peptide surface II), and 50:50 (mimetic peptide surface III) were immobilized on model surfaces using a heterobifunctional cross-linker to link the peptide(s) to amine-functionalized quartz surfaces. Contact angle measurements, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the chemistry, thickness of the overlayers, and surface density of immobilized peptides ( approximately 4-6 pmol/cm2). The degree of rat calvaria osteoblast-like cell spreading, focal contact formation, cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, and mineralization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on model biomaterial surfaces was examined. Mimetic peptide surface II (MPS II) and MPS III supported the highest degree of cell spreading (p < 0.05), following 4 h of incubation, compared to MPS I, homogeneous -RGD-, and homogeneous -FHRRIKA- grafted surfaces. Furthermore, MPS I, MPS II, MPS III, and homogeneous -RGD- surfaces promoted the formation of focal contacts and stress fibers by attached bone cells. The strength of bone cell detachment following 30 min of incubation was significantly higher (p < 0.05) on MPS II surfaces compared to homogeneous -RGD- and -FHRRIKA-. However, the degree of cell proliferation on the peptide surfaces were not significantly different from each other (p > 0.1). Following 24 d in culture, the areas of mineralized ECM formed on MPS II and MPS III surfaces were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than those of other surfaces. These results demonstrate that utilizing peptide sequences incorporating both cell- and heparin-adhesive motifs can enhance the degree of cell surface interactions and influence the long-term formation of mineralized ECM in vitro.