Molecular layer deposition builds biocompatible substrates for epithelial cells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• The field of regenerative medicine requires advanced biocompatible materials for surface coatings.
• Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) offers a precise method for fabricating nanoscale surface coatings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore MLD for creating novel biocompatible substrates using amino acids and nucleobases on titanium.
• To evaluate the attachment, proliferation, and viability of rat conjunctival epithelial goblet cells on these MLD substrates.

Main Methods:

• Substrates were fabricated using MLD with titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and various amino acids (l-lysine, glycine, l-aspartic acid, l-arginine) or nucleobases (thymine, uracil, adenine).
• Control substrates included titanium oxide (TiO2) made by atomic layer deposition and uncoated coverslips.
• Cellular responses (attachment, proliferation, viability) were assessed using RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, alamarBlue®, and LIVE/DEAD® assays.

Main Results:

• Cell attachment on MLD substrates was comparable to uncoated coverslips.
• Proliferation was significantly higher on most MLD substrates compared to controls after 4 days.
• Terephthalic acid-containing MLD substrates showed reduced proliferation, while cell viability remained high (>85%) across all substrates after 5 days.

Conclusions:

• The novel MLD technique is effective for fabricating biocompatible substrates.
• These MLD substrates, particularly those with amino acids and nucleobases, can promote epithelial cell growth.
• MLD holds significant promise for developing advanced materials in regenerative medicine.