Surface charge, biofilm composition and cellular morphology as related to cellular adhesion to biomaterials

Our previous studies have used jet impingement techniques to quantify strength of cell adhesion to various material surfaces. Surface charge and energy parameters were found to mediate the strength of cellular adhesion. The present investigation examines biological factors which might influence fibroblast adhesion to biomaterials-biofilm composition and cell morphology. Also, the relationship of surface charge to cellular adhesion has been investigated in a controlled way by measuring adhesion strength over a range of surface charge densities. The cells showed potential dependent adhesion maxima which suggests that surface alloying for optimum adherence may be possible. The adsorbed serum protein biofilms on a series of materials of differing adherence were investigated using gel electrophoresis. The profiles of adsorbed proteins revealed little difference in relative abundance or total adsorption quantity. SEM micrographs of the cells on a titanium alloy and silicone rubber (high and low adhesion materials, respectively) showed morphologic and cell density differences.