Controlling cell morphology on ion beam textured polymeric surfaces

Abstract

Objectives:Nano and micro sized textures on surfaces are generally useful biomaterials. Although the importance of roughness degree has been reported for cell morphology, texture morphology can be more determining for cell adhesion and proliferation. Biodegradable polymers are extensively used as scaffolds as well as implant materials in the human body. The aimof this study was to investigate the effect of ion beam bombardment on cell morphology. Methods: Gold and carbon ion implantation was made on biodegradable polymers polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone andpolylactic-co-glycolic-acid. Roughness data were obtained from atomic force microscopy. After surface modification with ionbeam, B35 neural cells were evaluated on surfaces for cell compatibility. Morphology and cell surface interaction were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Results: We observed improved cell adhesion after ion beam surface modification. Cell adhesion was greater on goldimplanted surfaces compared to the carbon implanted. Neural cells attached to lamellar wrinkles, spread by taking the shapeof the pattern and exhibited high aspect ratios and axon extension. In contrast, cells that attached on the untreated surfacesremained rounded with low spreading. Conclusion:The findings of this study are important for development of ion beam modified cell cultures and scaffold systems to understand texture-based cell adhesion mechanisms.