Comparative endothelial cell response on topographically patterned titanium and silicon substrates with micrometer to sub-micrometer feature sizes

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 30;9(10):e111465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111465. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

In this work, we evaluate the in vitro response of endothelial cells (EC) to variation in precisely-defined, micrometer to sub-micrometer scale topography on two different substrate materials, titanium (Ti) and silicon (Si). Both substrates possess identically-patterned surfaces composed of microfabricated, groove-based gratings with groove widths ranging from 0.5 to 50 µm, grating pitch twice the groove width, and groove depth of 1.3 µm. These specific materials are chosen due to their relevance for implantable microdevice applications, while grating-based patterns are chosen for the potential they afford for inducing elongated and aligned cellular morphologies reminiscent of the native endothelium. Using EA926 cells, a human EC variant, we show significant improvement in cellular adhesion, proliferation, morphology, and function with decreasing feature size on patterned Ti substrates. Moreover, we show similar trending on patterned Si substrates, albeit to a lesser extent than on comparably patterned Ti substrates. Collectively, these results suggest promise for sub-micrometer topographic patterning in general, and sub-micrometer patterning of Ti specifically, as a means for enhancing endothelialization and neovascularisation for novel implantable microdevice applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Particle Size*
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Silicon / pharmacology*
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Titanium
  • Silicon

Grants and funding

This work was supported in part by the University of California, Riverside Collaborative Seed Grant Program (MPR & VGJR), and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (SCG). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.