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Topology control of human cells monolayer by liquid crystal elastomer

Biological cells in living tissues form dynamic patterns with local orientational order and topological defects. Here we demonstrate an approach to produce cell monolayer with the predesigned orientational patterns using human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) placed onto a photoaligned liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). The alignment of cells is caused by anisotropic swelling of the substrates in contact with the aqueous cell growth medium. The patterns predesigned in the LCE cause a strong spatial variation of cell phenotype (evidenced by shape variations), their surface density and number density fluctuations. The concentration of cells is significantly higher near the cores of positive-strength defects as compared to negative-strength defects. Unbinding of defect pairs intrinsic to active matter is suppressed by anisotropic surface anchoring. The geometry of arrays allows one to estimate the elastic and surface anchoring characteristics of the tissues. The demonstrated patterned LCE approach could be used to control the collective behavior of cells in living tissues, cell differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis.