A photoresponsive polymer surface which enables in situ control of living cell adhesion

Novel photoresponsive culture surface (PRCS) that can control cell adhesion by photo-irradiation and temperature change was prepared with polymethylmethacrylate and a photoresponsive polymer containing photochromic chromophore, 6-nitrospiropyran. On the PRCS, CHO-K1 cells were attached evenly after incubation at 37°C. The PRCS was regionally irradiated with light (365 nm) for 5 min and cooled in fresh medium at 15°C for 15 min. Then the PRCS was washed by fresh medium at 15°C. In the washing process, the adhering cells were immobilized in the irradiated region, while the cells were easily detached in the other region. Adhering cells were confirmed as alive because they were stained by CMTPX reagent. As a result, living cell patterning with the 100 μm line width was produced.