Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells using metal oxide thin films

Abstract

While metal oxides synthesized as thin films have attracted much attention thanks to their electronic applications, we show here that they can also be used as bio-surfaces for the growth of stem cells, a field of research which has not been much explored. To demonstrate this, thin films (100-200 \AA) of titanium oxide (TiO$_2$) and aluminium oxide (Al$_2$O$_3$) were deposited on glass using the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique, and mesenchymal stem cells were grown on such layers. Cell behavior was evaluated with respect to the various key parameters such as composition, wettability, morphology and the thickness of films. Our results indicate that TiO$_2$ and Al$_2$O$_3$ surfaces can not only support stem cells adhesion and growth, but also can be used to influence osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation path, which opens the route for a variety of novel biocompatible materials.