To clarify the effects of grid topographies with different scales on cell morphology and functionalization, we investigated the adhesion and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to titanium surfaces with micron, nano, and micron/nano (hybrid) grid topographies created by femtosecond laser irradiation. The results showed that cellular adhesion and differentiation strongly depended on the scales of the grid topography. hMSCs cultured on micron and hybrid grid topographies showed regulation of cellular adhesion plaques following the surface topography and were vinculin-positive, whereas filamentous vinculin was evident at the filopodia of hMSCs cultured on nanogrids. The findings indicate that the micron grid topography was beneficial for cell colonization by anchoring the cells to the substrate surface, whereas the nanogrid topography was beneficial for cell locomotion. With the superposition effect of the micron and nanogrids, micro/nanohybrid grid topography strongly promoted cell adhesion. This differential adhesion induced differences cell differentiation. Nanogrids promoted differentiation of hMSCs, particularly osteogenic differentiation. These findings provide a basis for the design of novel biomaterial surfaces that can regulate specific cellular functions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2735-2743, 2018.
Keywords: differentiation; focal adhesion; mesenchymal stem cell; nanotopography; titanium.
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.