Synopsis
In the present study, we developed patterned apatites with grooves, pillars, and holes by micro-molding. The effects of the patterns on adhesion of the human osteoblastic cell line Saos-2 were investigated. The patterned apatites were fabricated with apatite cement paste using the mi-cro-molding method. The number of attached cells and ratio of cell spreading were estimated by a cell adhesion assay using Saos-2. The resulting patterns of grooves, holes, and pillars at the mi-cro-/submicro-level were easily transferred using the corresponding mold. Saos-2 cells were well orientated on the grooves and filopodia were radially elongated on pillars. The number of attached cells on the patterned apatite was higher than that on the planar apatite. Interestingly, the tendency of increasing of ratios of spreading cells was similar to that of decreasing of water contact angle on apatite pillars. These results show that the adhesion of Saos-2 cells was affected by the type and size of the apatite patterns.
Key words: patterned apatite, micro-molding, micro/submicro, Saos-2, cell adhesion
