SAW Accelerates Non-Destructive Cell Detachment from Thermoresponsive Surfaces
Zhiyuan Zhang, Hanting Wang, Zepeng Bao, Hasnain Kakakhail, Tianyu Ma, Ming Li, Hongjie Chen, Penghe Yin, Xi Zhang, Liming Jin, Jining Sun, Chuan Zhang, Lei ZhangAbstract
The rapid and nondestructive detachment of cells from culture surfaces is critical for obtaining high-quality cell populations in tissue engineering applications. Thermoresponsive coatings, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), enable enzyme-free cell release; however, their practical utility is often constrained by inherently slow detachment kinetics. Here, we report a hybrid strategy that synergistically integrates surface acoustic wave (SAW) stimulation with a PNIPAM-based coating to markedly accelerate cell detachment. Under optimized conditions, this system achieves a cell detachment efficiency of up to 96% while reducing the detachment time from 39 to 9 min─corresponding to a 76.9% decrease─without compromising postdetachment cell viability (>95%). Morphological analyses and comparative studies indicate that SAW stimulation promotes rapid cell release by inducing cell-shape remodeling in concert with interfacial weakening on the PNIPAM substrate. Overall, this combined acoustic–thermoresponsive platform offers an efficient, enzyme-free approach for rapid cell harvesting while preserving excellent cell viability and structural integrity.