Effects of self-assembled monolayers with different chemical groups on ovarian cancer cell line behavior in vitro

Abstract

In addition to serving as a physical support, the extracellular matrix (ECM) actively influences cell behavior. However, the definitive effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cell behavior remain obscure. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cellular physiology using the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 as a model. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different chemical modifications, including methyl (-CH 3), hydroxyl (-OH), amino (-NH 2), carboxyl (-COOH), and mercapto (-SH) groups, were used as microenvironmental models to explore the effects of different structures on SKOV-3 cells. The cell morphology, cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, and functional alterations in cancer cells cultured on different SAMs were analyzed. The results showed that SKOV-3 cells cultured on -NH 2 surfaces exhibited the largest contact area, whereas those on -CH 3 surfaces exhibited the smallest contact area and mostly rounded morphologies. Additionally, -NH 2 and -COOH promoted cell proliferation and adhesion, whereas CH 3 inhibited adhesion, leading to G1 arrest during the cell cycle and resulting in cell apoptosis. This study may provide useful information for reconstruction of the ECM and for controlling cell behavior in related areas of study.