MC3T3-E1 cell response to Ti1xAgx and Ag-TiNx electrodes deposited on piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) substrates for sensor spplications

In the sensors field, titanium based coatings are being used for the acquisition/application of electrical signals from/to piezoelectric materials. In this particular case, sensors are used to detect dynamic mechanical loads at early stages after intervention of problems associated with prostheses implantation. The aim of this work is to select an adequate electrode for sensor applications capable, in an initial stage to avoid bone cell adhesion, but at a long stage, permit osteointegration and osteoinduction. This work reports on the evaluation of osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells behavior in terms of proliferation, adhesion and long-term differentiation of two different systems used as sensor electrodes: Ti1xAgx and Ag-TiNx deposited by d.c. and pulsed magnetron sputtering at room temperature on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The results indicated an improved effect of Ag-TiNx electrodes compared with Ti1xAgx and TiN, in terms of diminished cell adhesion and proliferation at an initial cell culture stage. Nevertheless, when cell culture time is longer, cells grown onto Ag-TiNx electrodes are capable to proliferate and also differentiate at proper rates, indicating the suitability of this coating for sensor application in prostheses devices. Thus, the Ag-TiNx system was considered the most promising electrode for tissue engineering applications in the design of sensors for prostheses to detect dynamic mechanical loads.The author S.M.M. gratefully acknowledge the funding form the Portuguese national funds through the FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, (grant SFRH/BD/71259/2010). Also thank support by FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2014. J.L.G.R. and P.R. acknowledge funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2013-46467-C4-1-R and MAT201238359-C03-01 project (including the FEDER financial support). CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008−2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program. CIBER actions are financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Found. The authors thank financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK Program. S.L.M. thanks the Diputación de Bizkaia for financial support under the Bizkaia Talent program