Hierarchical titanium surface textures affect osteoblastic functions

This study investigated the surface characteristics and in vitro cytocompatibility of hierarchical textured titanium surfaces with nanograins and microroughness, produced by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT). The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, contact angle, and surface energy measurements. The in vitro cytocompatibility of the SMAT processed surfaces (hereafter Ti-SMAT surfaces) were assessed in terms of cellular attachment, morphology, viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mRNA gene expression. Two other titanium surfaces were compared: well-polished Ti6Al4V surfaces (hereafter Ti-polish surfaces) and thermally sprayed rough surfaces (hereafter Ti-spray surfaces). The Ti-SMAT surfaces showed a higher hydrophilicity and increased surface energy compared with the Ti-polish and Ti-spray surfaces. Consequently, these Ti-SMAT surfaces demonstrated enhancement of cell attachment, spreading, viability, and ALP activity. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed significantly higher ALP activity and stronger expression of mRNA levels of key osteoblast genes in cells grown on the Ti-SMAT surfaces than the other two surfaces. These results reveal a synergic role played by nanostructure and microtopography in osteoblastic functions and demonstrate the more promising cytocompatibility of the hierarchical textured surfaces. It is suggested that the SMAT process may provide a novel method of surface modification to the currently available metallic biomaterials. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 99A: 666-675, 2011.