Evaluation of Preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 Cells Cultured on a Microporous Titanium Membrane Fabricated Using a Precise Mechanical Punching Process

Abstract

The surface topography of Titanium (Ti) combined toughness and biocompatibility affects the attachment and migration of cells. Limited information of morphological characteristics, formed by precise machining in micron order, is currently available on the Ti that could promote osteoconduction. In the present study, a pure Ti membrane was pierced with precise 25 μm square holes at 75 μm intervals and appear burrs at the edge of aperture. We defined the surface without burrs as the “Head side” and that with burrs as the “Tail side”. The effects of the machining microtopography on the proliferation and differentiation of the preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) were investigated. The cells were more likely to migrate to, and accumulate in, the aperture of holes on the head side, but grew uniformly regardless of holes on the tail side. The topography on the both surfaces increased osteopontin gene expression levels. Osteocalcin expression levels were higher on the head side than one on the blank scaffold and tail side (p p < 0.05). These results demonstrate the capacity of a novel microporous Ti membrane fabricated using a precise mechanical punching process to promote cell proliferation and activity.

Keywords

• osteogenic differentiation
• calcification
• MC3T3-E1 cell
• microporous titanium
• titanium topography
• dentistry