Regulating Fibroblast Shape and Mechanics through Photoresponsive Surfaces with Concentric Circular Topographic Patterns

Material signals in the form of surface topographies, proved to be potent regulators of cell functions and fate, through mechanotransduction pathways. While a wealth of data is related to regular topographic patterns, i.e., lines, pit, or protrusions, there are comparatively few studies addressing the effects of circular, concentric patterns. Yet, curvatures affecting cell shape dramatically alter cell contractility and behavior. Additionally, the vast majority of patterned surfaces are static in nature and this prevents to understand how cells perceive and respond to the topographic patterns. Here, a technique is exploited for dynamically embossing micrometerscale circular pattern on azopolymeric substrates using a confocal laser microscope and it is analyzed how NIH‐3T3 reacts to the underlying topography in terms of changes in shape and mechanical properties. A characteristic pattern arrangement is found which most effectively alters cell morphology and orientation. Cells perceive the concentric pattern and reconfigure as fast as 2 h after pattern inscription. The changes in morphology also reflect dramatic changes in cell mechanics and cytoskeletal arrangements. The reported method is useful to manipulate cell shape and mechanics in a facile and cost‐effective manner and most importantly enables investigate mechanotransduction events dynamically.