Morphological features of osteoblasts cultured on ultraviolet-irradiated titanium plates

Although we have recently established optimal experimental conditions of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation for titanium plates (e.g. wavelength and exposure time) which enhanced osteoblast adhesion to the plates, the effects of UV-irradiation on cell structure are still unclear. Digital stereomicroscopy was used to investigate morphological alterations of non-stained viable and hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained cells on UV-irradiated and non-UV-irradiated titanium plates for up to 24 hours. In 24 hours, significant expansion of HE-stained cells (area, perimeter and sprouting processes) was observed on UV-irradiated plates. The sprouting processes appeared within 40 minutes of inoculation under both conditions, however, significant cell area expansion, which occurred in 5 minutes, was observed only on UV-irradiated plates. UV-enhanced cell attachment was related to morphological alteration which occurred immediately after inoculation. Digital stereomicroscopic evaluation was able to define and quantify morphological alterations of viable cells in an opaque environment.