Osseointegration of metallic implants used in orthopedic surgery requires that osteoprogenitor cells attach and adhere to the surface, then proliferate, differentiate into osteoblasts, and finally produce mineralized matrix. Because the ability of progenitor cells to attach to a scaffold surface during early stages is important in the development of new tissue structures, we developed in our laboratory, a strategy involving grafting of implants with a polymer of sodium styrene sulfonate (polyNaSS) used as a scaffold which enables human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) interactions. In the present study, we investigated the cellular response of hMSCs to polyNaSS surfaces of titanium (Ti). In particular, cell proliferation, cell viability, cell differentiation, and cell spreading were evaluated. Results showed that cell proliferation and cell viability did not differ with any statistical significance between modified and unmodified Ti surfaces. Interestingly, culture of MSCs on polyNaSS surfaces resulted in a significant increase of cell spreading and cell differentiation compared with the other tested surfaces. These results suggest that titanium surface grafted with polyNaSS is a suitable scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
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