Influence of Culture Substrates on Morphology and Function of Pulmonary Alveolar Cells In Vitro

Cell’s microenvironment has been shown to exert influence on cell behavior. In particular, matrix-cell interactions strongly impact cell morphology and function. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of different culture substrate materials on phenotype and functional properties of lung epithelial adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. A549 cells were seeded onto two different biocompatible, commercially available substrates: a polyester coverslip (Thermanox™ Coverslips), that was used as cell culture plate control, and a polydimethylsiloxane membrane (PDMS, Elastosil  Film) investigated in this study as alternative material for A549 cells culture. The two substrates influenced cell morphology and the actin cytoskeleton organization. Further, the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its transcriptional coactivator PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) were translocated to the nucleus in A549 cells cultured on polyester substrate, yet it remained mostly cytosolic in cells on PDMS substrate. By SEM analysis, we observed that cells grown on Elastosil  Film maintained an alveolar Type II cell morphology. Immunofluorescence staining for surfactant-C revealing a high expression of surfactant-C in cells cultured on Elastosil  Film, but not in cells cultured on Thermanox™ Coverslips. A549 cells grown onto Elastosil  Film exhibited morphology and functionality that suggest retainment of alveolar epithelial Type II phenotype, while A549 cells grown onto conventional plastic substrates acquired an alveolar Type I phenotype.