Mechanosensitivity response of epithelial HT29 cells on titanium dioxide nanotube array surface via CK8 protein expression

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNA) have been proposed as novel nanosurface modifications for biomaterial implants and nanomedicine applications. However, the molecular mechanisms of cell-TNA mechanosensitivity are poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of cell-TNA mechanosensitivity activity via cytokeratin (CK) protein marker. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) characterisation was conducted on TNA with epithelial HT29 cells. The CK protein marker was also analysed using immunofluorescent staining and immunoblotting techniques. FESEM results showed that cells grown on TNA exhibited enhanced cytoplasmic extension and spreading characteristics. Furthermore, the cell interaction with TNA nanosurface showed high CK8 expression, thereby indicating the clustering or aggregation of the cytoskeleton proteins. Findings suggested that epithelial HT29 cells on TNA nanotopography may involve cytoskeleton mechanosensitivity response for cellular adaptation activity.