Cell and tissue response to nanotextured Ti6Al4V and Zr implants using high-speed femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures

In this paper, the effect of femtosecond laser nanotexturing of surfaces of Ti6Al4V and Zr implants on their biological compatibility is presented and discussed. Highly regular and homogeneous nanostructures with sub-micrometer period were imprinted on implant surfaces. Surfaces were morphologically and chemically investigated by SEM and XPS. HDFa cell lines were used for toxicity and cell viability tests, and subcutaneous implantation was applied to characterize tissue response. HDFa proliferation and in vivo experiments evidenced the strong influence of the surface topography compared to the effect of the surface elemental composition (metal or alloy). The effect of protein adsorption from blood plasma on cell proliferation is also discussed.