Measuring the strength of dermal fibroblast attachment to functionalized titanium alloys in vitro.
The success of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prostheses (ITAP) relies on soft tissue attachment to prevent infection which leads to implant failure. Fibronectin (Fn) has been shown to enhance dermal fibroblast attachment in vitro, however measurement of cell attachment strength has been indirect; using cell area and immunolocalization of focal adhesion components. In this study, we have developed a flow apparatus to assess the biophysical strength of cell attachment to biomaterials used in ITAP. We have demonstrated that dermal fibroblast attachment strength increases significantly up to 96 h and that data from direct and indirect methods of assessing cell attachment strength have a significant positive correlation. Additionally, we have used direct and indirect assessment methods to demonstrate that dermal fibroblast attachment strength is significantly greater on fibronectin-coated titanium alloy compared with uncoated controls at 1, 4, and 24 hours.
Pendegrass
Catherine J
CJ
The Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, Stanmore, Middlesex, United Kingdom. c.pendegrass@ucl.ac.uk
Middleton
Claire A
CA
Gordon
David
D
Jacob
Josh
J
Blunn
Gordon W
GW
D000497:Alloys; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005353:Fibronectins; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D014025:Titanium
D000497:Alloys; D005353:Fibronectins; D014025:Titanium