Surface free energy predominates in cell adhesion to hydroxyapatite through wettability

The initial adhesion of cells to biomaterials is critical in the regulation of subsequent cell behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate a mechanism through which the surface wettability of biomaterials can be improved and determine the effects of biomaterial surface characteristics on cellular behaviors. We investigated the surface characteristics of various types of hydroxyapatite after sintering in different atmospheres and examined the effects of various surface characteristics on cell adhesion to study cell-biomaterial interactions. Sintering atmosphere affects the polarization capacity of hydroxyapatite by changing hydroxide ion content and grain size. Compared with hydroxyapatite sintered in air, hydroxyapatite sintered in saturated water vapor had a higher polarization capacity that increased surface free energy and improved wettability, which in turn accelerated cell adhesion. We determined the optimal conditions of hydroxyapatite polarization for the improvement of surface wettability and acceleration of cell adhesion. [Display omitted] •Sintering atmosphere affects the polarization capacity of hydroxyapatite.•Hydroxyapatite sintered in steam increased surface free energy by polarization.•Polarization of hydroxyapatite sintered in steam improved surface wettability.•Polarization of hydroxyapatite sintered in steam accelerated cell adhesion.•Optimal conditions of hydroxyapatite polarization accelerated cell adhesion.