Titania nanotube arrays as nanobiomatrix interfaces for localized biomolecules delivery to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Titania nanotube arrays (TNA) surface has become a promising nano-surface technology for medical implant application. However, its application in neuro-prosthetics is still in infancy. This study investigates the interaction of neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells on TNA surface, especially in nutrient-rich environment modeled by fetal bovine serum (FBS). Detailed analysis was performed on properties, such as FBS release, surface wettability and SH-SY5Y cellular adhesion and proliferation. The FBS-loaded TNA showed a zero-order FBS release activity, which led to rapid burst release followed by extended release of up to 14 days. Neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells showed excellent adhesion and proliferation on the TNA surface especially in the nutrient-rich environment (FBS-loaded TNA) compared with the titanium foil (Ti) (control representing the surface without TNA). Preferential adhesion was observed on the chitosan-coated FBS-loaded TNA surface, whereas the highest percentage viability of viable cells was detected in non-coated FBS-loaded TNA. Furthermore, the surface wettability indicated that the TNA had the highest hydrophilicity. Findings from this study reveal the capability of TNA nano-topology to deliver FBS to neuronal cell lines and enhance the cellular proliferation activity. Further optimization of polymer-coated FBS-loaded TNA is needed to achieve a predictable release activity. These results can be important for the future research on neuro-prosthetic application especially involving advanced therapeutic opportunities. Graphical abstract Schematic depicting stages of TNA formation in its application to drug release. The stages showed (a) the formation of a TNA layer via anodization, (b) loading of serum into TNA and c) coating of TNA with chitosan polymer.