Effect of micro/nano-patterned surfaces on cell adhesion of Ca9-22 cells

Abstract

Surface topography influences cell growth and differentiation. In this study, we used a nano-imprinting method to develop a titanium sheet with 500 nm-, 1 μm-, and 2 μm-wide grooved and pillared structures. We investigated the effects of the surfaces with the micro- and nano-structures on Ca9-22 cell adhesion and proliferation. Ca9-22 cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum and counted adhered cells at 1 and 24 h post-culture. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess cell morphology. Immunofluorescence cell staining was used to evaluate vinculin formation to observe the presence of focal contacts at 24 h. There was no difference in cell adhesion between cells cultured on a plane or groove after 1 h. However, at 24 h, the adhesion of cells cultured on the groove was reduced. In addition, the cell adhesion count on the pillar was less than that of cells cultured on a plane at both 1 hour and 24 h post-seeding. Furthermore, in the groove of the Ti sheet after 1 and 24 h, cell expansion occurred in the grooved direction. These results demonstrate that the micro and nano-grooved and pillared structures on the titanium sheet control Ca9-22 cell adhesion and orientation.