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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Cell-biomaterial interactions for different material compositions were evaluated through quantitative examination of in vitro cell spreading behavior and shear-induced cell detachment. Biomaterial substrates consisted of identically prepared, well characterized bulk samples of implant grade cp Ti, Ti-6AI-4V, and Synamel. 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the substrate surfaces and incubated for 2 hours. Adherent cell morphology was then examined using scanning electron microscopy and digital image analysis. The cell detachment response was measured using a parallel plate flow chamber. When categorized according to observed cell morphology, projected cell areas were found to be lognormally distributed for all biomaterials and ln(cell area) was significantly greater for Synamel, while no difference existed between cp Ti and Ti-6AI-4V. In addition, the average post-shear fraction of adherent cells was significantly greater for Synamel substrates, as compared to cp Ti and Ti-6AI-4V substrates. The results from this study indicate that in vitro cell adhesion and detachment behavior are measurably influenced by biomaterial substrate composition.