Adhesion of human mesenchymal stem cells can be controlled by electron beam-microstructured titanium alloy surfaces...

Several studies focusing on bone tissue engineering demonstrated that given microstructuring of an implant surface has a strong effect on its interaction with cells, and their adhesion and differentiation. In the present study, geometrically structured titanium alloy surfaces are shown to be able to guide cell adhesion during differentiation in vitro. For this reason, using an electron beam texturing technique, TiAl6V4 surfaces were selectively targeted in the micrometer range. The effect of such textured titanium alloy surfaces on cell adhesion during osteogenic differentiation was analyzed for human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), the natural precursor cells of bone tissue. Cytotoxicity, cell viability and differentiation were analyzed. Immunofluorescence stainings demonstrated that in contrast to MSC in an expansion medium, MSC in an osteogenic induction medium produce adhesion proteins such as ß3-integrins and thereby connect in an oriented way to the generated microstructures on titanium alloy surfaces. These results are of relevance for developing tailored titanium alloy implant surfaces which exhibit an improved cell response.