Cobalt and titanium nanoparticles influence on mesenchymal stem cell elasticity and turgidity

Bone cells are damaged by wear particles originating from total joint replacement implants. We investigated Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) nanomechanical properties when exposed to cobalt and titanium nanoparticles (resembling wear debris) of different sizes for up to 3days using AFM nanoindentation; along with flow-cytometry and MTT assay. The results demonstrated that cells exposed to increasing concentrations of nanoparticles had a lower value of elasticity and spring constant without significant effect on cell metabolic activity and viability but some morphological alteration (bleeping). Cobalt induced greater effects than titanium and this is consistent with the general knowledge of cyto-compatibility of the later. This work demonstrates for the first time that metal nanoparticles do not only influence MSCs enzymes activity but also cell structure; however, they do not result in full membrane damage. Furthermore, the mechanical changes are concentration and particles composition dependent but little influenced by the particle size.