Development of human mesenchymal stem cells on DC sputtered titanium nitride thin films

The biocompatible properties of titanium nitride (TiN) have opened a new field of applications for this material. In the present work, TiN coatings with thicknesses around 1 microm have been prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. The aim has been to evaluate the adherence, growth and proliferation of human pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the surface of TiN films with contrasted structural, electrical, and mechanical properties. For this purpose, the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, sheet resistance measurements, and nanoindentation. Biological tests show that hMSCs adhere and proliferate onto TiN surfaces. The combination of the mechanical, electrical, and biological responses suggest that TiN coatings present appropriate properties to induce the in vitro stimulated differentiation of hMSCs. This possibility gives an added value to TiN based biomaterial coatings.