Behavior of endothelial cells on micro-patterned titanium oxide surface

The confluent monolayer of healthy endothelial cells in natural blood vessels represents the ideal non-thrombogenic blood-contacting surfaces [I]. Modification of the prostheses surfaces that stimulate endothelialization could reduce thrombosis and eliminate platelet deposition.[2, 3]. The surface topography such as grooves, poies; fibers can iduence the behavior of the cultured cells such as cell adhesion, orientation, movement, growth, and activation. In our experiments, titanium oxide films synthesized by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII&D) were micro-patterned using argon plasma etching. The wells that contained organized arrays of square holes with different depths and gaps of 25 pm were produced on the surface of the titanium oxide by etching for 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. The surface wettability and tension were investigated by wettability examinations. Human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells were cultured on both the unpatterned and patterned surfaces for comparison. The effects of surface micro-patterning on the HUVE cells were investigated in vitro. The cell morphology was investigated after adhered they were fixed, dehydrated and critical point-dried. The cell behavior was monitored using immunofluorescent staining experiment. Our results show that the HUVE cells can adhere and proliferate on the surface of titanium oxide films prepared by PIII&D. The micro-patterned surface influences both the surface energy and cell behavior. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using micro-patterned surfaces to modulate HUVE cell behaviors.