Adhesion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on porous titanium surfaces with strontium-doped hydroxyapatite coating

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the adhesion behavior of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on a titanium surface with a nanostructured strontium-doped hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) coating.MethodsSr-HA coatings were applied on roughened titanium surfaces using an electrochemical deposition method. Primary cultured rat MSCs were seeded onto Sr-HA-, HA-coated titanium, and roughened titanium surfaces, and they were then cultured for 1, 6, and 24 h. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the metabolic condition of the cells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the cell morphology. The cytoskeletal structure was analyzed using fluorescence actin staining to characterize cell adherence. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to analyze the gene expression levels of FAK (focal adhesion kinase), vinculin, integrin β1, and integrin β3 after culturing for 24, 48, and 72 h.ResultsMSCs cultured on the Sr-HA surface showed better cell proliferation and viability. Improvement of cell adhesion and structural rearrangement of the cytoskeleton were observed on the Sr-HA surface. The gene expression of FAK, vinculin, integrin β1, and integrin β3 was also elevated on the Sr-HA surface.ConclusionsCell viability, adhesion, cell morphology, and the cytoskeletal structure were all upregulated considerably by the titanium surface modified with a Sr-HA coating.