Fibroblast anchorage to microtextured surfaces

The contact between tissue and the implanted biomaterial is influenced by the micromorphology of the implant surface as well as biomechanical reactions. This effect is mediated by subcellular morphological structures and can affect the anchorage of the material inside the body of the host. The aim of the present study was to ascertain by transmission electron microscopy how human gingival fibroblasts interact with surface events. A special replica technique was used to produce a line pattern of 1 micron pitch with a depth of 1 micron. It was demonstrated, by transmission electron microscopy, that cells seeded on this surface extended cellular processes into the grooves, leading to an intensive contact and probably to mechanical interlocking. The typical morphological structures at several points indicated the presence of focal adhesion sites.