Surface chemistry modulates focal adhesion composition and signaling through changes in integrin binding

Biomaterial surface properties influence protein adsorption and elicit diverse cellular responses in biomedical and biotechnological applications. However, the molecular mechanisms directing cellular activities remain poorly understood. Using a model system with well-defined chemistries (CH3, OH, COOH, NH2) and a fixed density of the single adhesive ligand fibronectin, we investigated the effects of surface chemistry on focal adhesion assembly and signaling. Surface chemistry strongly modulated integrin binding and specificity—α5β1 integrin binding affinity followed the pattern OH>NH2=COOH>CH3, while integrin αVβ3 displayed the relationship COOH>NH2 OH=CH3. Immunostaining and biochemical analyses revealed that surface chemistry modulates the structure and molecular composition of cell-matrix adhesions as well as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling. The neutral hydrophilic OH functionality supported the highest levels of recruitment of talin, α-actinin, paxillin, and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins to adhesive structures. The positively charged NH2 and negatively charged COOH surfaces exhibited intermediate levels of recruitment of focal adhesion components, while the hydrophobic CH3 substrate displayed the lowest levels. These patterns in focal adhesion assembly correlated well with integrin α5β1 binding. Phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues in FAK also showed differential sensitivity to surface chemistry. Finally, surface chemistry-dependent differences in adhesive interactions modulated osteoblastic differentiation. These differences in focal adhesion assembly and signaling provide a potential mechanism for the diverse cellular responses elicited by different material properties.