Chemical and topographical modification of PHBV surface to promote osteoblast alignment and confinement

Proper cell attachment and distribution, and thus stronger association in vivo between a bone implant and native tissue will improve the success of the implant. In this study, the aim was to achieve promotion of attachment and uniform distribution of rat mesenchymal stem cell‐derived osteoblasts by introducing chemical and topographical cues on poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) film surfaces. As the chemical cues, either alkaline phosphatase was covalently immobilized on the film surface to induce deposition of calcium phosphate minerals or fibrinogen was adsorbed to improve cell adhesion. Microgrooves and micropits were introduced on the film surface by negative replication of micropatterned Si wafers. Both chemical cues improved cell attachment and even distribution on the PHBV films, but Fb was more effective especially when combined with the micropatterns. Cell alignment (