The role of fibronectin in cell adhesion to spiral patterned TiO2 nanoparticles

Spiral micropatterned surfaces of decreasing dimensions were produced by photo-immobilising a photoreactive hyaluronan (Hyal) derivative on TiO2 nanoparticles. The microstructured surfaces were characterised by both SEM and AFM analysis. The behaviour, of both endothelial cells (HCAEC) and tumoral mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3) on the patterned surfaces was evaluated. HCAEC adhered only to the TiO2 nanoparticles avoiding the contact with Hyal. NIH3T3 adhered to and covered completely the TiO2 spiral and prolonging the culture time also the photo-immobilised Hyal. The role of fibronectin to mediate cell adhesion to the TiO2 pattern surfaces was evaluated by experiments with blocked fibronectin membrane receptors on both HCAEC and NIH3T3. The results showed the absence of any adhering cells. Thus, fibronectin seemed to be the only key protein in mediating cell adhesion to these TiO2 substrates.