Layer-by-layer assembly of nanofilms to control cell functions

Abstract

Controlling cell functions, including morphology, adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation, in the cellular microenvironments of biomaterials is a major challenge in the biomedical fields such as tissue engineering, implantable biomaterials and biosensors. In the body, extracellular matrices (ECM) and growth factors constantly regulate cell functions. For functional biomaterials, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique offers a versatile method for controllable bio-coating at the micro-/nano-meter scale to mimic ECM microenvironments. In this review, an overview of recent research related to the fabrication of cell-function controllable nanofilms via LbL assembly in the form of sheet-like nanofilms and customized nanocoatings around cells or implants is presented. Firstly, the components, driving forces, and especially the new approaches for high-throughput assembly of a nanofilm library are introduced. Moreover, we focus our attention on the control of cell functions via LbL nanofilms in the form of nanofilms and nanocoatings respectively. The effects of tunable growth factor release from multilayers on cell functions are also discussed.