Template-assisted electrohydrodynamic atomization (TAEA) spraying
deposition, a recently developed and an electric-driven jet-based technique
has been used to prepare bioactive surface topography on titanium (Ti).
Nanometer-scaled SiHA (nanoSiHA), which closely resembles the bone mineral,
has been synthesized and deposited on Ti surfaces with a range of patterns,
such as pillars and tracks. A human osteoblast (HOB) cell model has been
used to evaluate the in vitro cellular responses to nanoSiHA deposition.
alamarBlue™ assay showed that nanoSiHA patterns are able to encourage the
attachment and growth of HOB cells in comparison to those of nanoSiHA
coating. The preferential growth of HOB cells was found along and across the
track, HOB cells were also found to stretch between two tracks. Image
analysis of HOB cell responses to the size of nanoSiHA pattern showed that
the length of HOB cells was proportional to the gaps between the tracks
until reaching the maximum length of 110 μm. The results indicate that the
distance between the structures is paramount over the width. Our study will
pave the way to control and guide cellular responses for new generation of
bone implants.