title: Inkjet printed periodical micropatterns made of inert alumina ceramics induce contact guidance and stimulate osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells.
abstract: Bioinert high performance ceramics exhibit detrimental features for implant components with direct bone contact because of their low osseointegrating capability. We hypothesized that periodical microstructures made of inert alumina ceramics can influence the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC). In this study, we manufactured pillared arrays made of alumina ceramics with periodicities as low as 100μm and pillar heights of 40μm employing direct inkjet printing (DIP) technique. The response of hMSC to the microstructured surfaces was monitored by measuring cell morphology, viability and formation of focal adhesion complexes. Osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs was investigated by alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization assays and expression analysis of respective markers. We demonstrated that MSCs react to the pillars with contact guidance. Subsequently, cells grow onto and form connections between the microstructures, and at the same time are directly attached to the pillars as shown by focal adhesion stainings. Cells build up tissue-like constructs with heights up to the micropillars resulting in increased cell viability and osteogenic differentiating properties. We conclude that periodical micropatterns on the micrometer scale made of inert alumina ceramics can mediate focal adhesion dependent cell adhesion and stimulate osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
authors: Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: ilauria@ukaachen.de.
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Lauria
authors: Department of Ceramics and Refractory Materials, Institute of Mineral Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Mauerstrasse 5, 52064 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: Kramer@ghi.rwth-aachen.de.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Kramer
authors: Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: teresa.schroeder@gmx.com.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Schröder
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Wendlingweg 2, 52057 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: skant@ukaachen.de.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Kant
authors: Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: akorsten@gmx.de.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Hausmann
authors: Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: fboeke@ukaachen.de.
authors: Frederik
authors: F
authors: Böke
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Wendlingweg 2, 52057 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: rleube@ukaachen.de.
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Leube
authors: Department of Ceramics and Refractory Materials, Institute of Mineral Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Mauerstrasse 5, 52064 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: telle@ghi.rwth-aachen.de.
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Telle
authors: Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: hfischer@ukaachen.de.
authors: Horst
authors: H
authors: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D011327:Printing / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000537:Aluminum Oxide
keywords: Additive manufacturing; Alumina; Direct inkjet printing; Microstructures; Stem cells