What’s Happening on the Other Side? Revealing Nano-Meter Scale Features of Mammalian Cells on Engineered Textured Tantalum Surfaces

Abstract

Advanced engineered surfaces can be used to direct cell behavior. These behaviors are typically characterized using either optical, atomic force, confocal, or electron microscopy; however, most microscopic techniques are generally restricted to observing what’s happening on the “top” side or even the interior of the cell. Our group has focused on engineered surfaces typically reserved for microelectronics as potential surfaces to control cell behavior. These devices allow the exploration of novel substrates including titanium, tungsten, and tantalum intermixed with silicon oxide. Furthermore, these devices allow the exploration of the intricate patterning of surface materials and surface geometries i.e., trenches. Here we present two important advancements in our research: (1) the ability to split a fixed cell through the nucleus using an inexpensive three-point bend micro-cleaving technique and image 3D nanometer scale cellular components using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy; and (2) the observation of nanometer projections from the underbelly of a cell as it sits on top of patterned trenches on our devices. This application of a 3-point cleaving technique to visualize the underbelly of the cell is allowing a new understanding of how cells descend into surface cavities and is providing a new insight on cell migration mechanisms.

Influence of Indium (III) Chloride on Human Dermal Fibroblast Cell Adhesion on Tantalum/Silicon Oxide Nano-Composites

“…As we have described in prior work [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], cell alignment behavior on parallel line/trench topographic structures can be quantified by measuring the angle between the long axis of the nucleus and the pattern line axes. Figure 7 shows the percent cell distribution results of six different patterns with equal line and trench widths of 0.18 µm, 0.25 µm, 0.5 µm, 1 µm, 2 µm and 10 µm, both in cells cultured in the presence (bottom) and absence (top) of indium chloride, respectively.…”

Laser surface treatment on Yttria‐stabilized zirconia dental implants: Influence on cell behavior

“…1,38 The evaluation of biological processes triggered by the contact of cell cultures with surfaces, such as cell adhesion, cell mobility, proliferation, differentiation and protein synthesis are an asset of in vitro studies. 39 Cell culture also allows the assessment of cell function and differentiation, namely the use of inflammation markers and connective and bone matrix compounds markers. [40][41][42][43] The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro cellular behavior of osteoblasts and fibroblasts on textured surfaces with grooves by conventional milling and laser texturing and compare with gold standard sandblast and acid etch protocol.…”

“…The evaluation of biological processes triggered by the contact of cell cultures with surfaces, such as cell adhesion, cell mobility, proliferation, differentiation and protein synthesis are an asset of in vitro studies 39 . Cell culture also allows the assessment of cell function and differentiation, namely the use of inflammation markers and connective and bone matrix compounds markers 40‐43 …”