MC3T3-E1 cell response to stainless steel 316L with different surface treatments

In the present study, stainless steel 316L samples with polishing, aluminum oxide blasting, and hydroxyapatite (HA) coating were prepared and characterized through a scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical interferometer (surface roughness, Sq), contact angle, surface composition and phase composition analyses. Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion on the samples was investigated by cell morphology using a SEM (4 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d), and cell proliferation was assessed by MTT method at 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d. In addition, adsorption of bovine serum albumin on the samples was evaluated at 1 h. The polished sample was smooth (Sq: 1.8 nm), and the blasted and HA coated samples were much rougher (Sq: 3.2 μm and 7.8 μm). Within 1 d of incubation, the HA coated samples showed the best cell morphology (e.g., flattened shape and complete spread), but there was no significant difference after 3 d and 7 d of incubation for all the samples. The absorbance value for the HA coated samples was the highest after 1 d and 3 d of incubation, indicating better cell viability. However, it reduced to the lowest value at 7 d. Protein adsorption on the HA coated samples was the highest at 1 h. The results indicate that rough stainless steel surface improves cell adhesion and morphology, and HA coating contributes to superior cell adhesion, but inhibits cell proliferation. - Highlights: • Rough stainless steel surface improves cell adhesion and proliferation. • HA coating results in superior cell morphology and cell attachment. • HA coating inhibits osteoblast cell proliferation after 7 d of incubation