Tailoring Cell Behavior and Antibacterial Properties on Zirconia Biomaterials through Femtosecond Laser-Induced Micropatterns and Nanotopography
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study explores the potential of ultrashort pulsed-direct laser interference patterning (USP-DLIP) to fabricate micropatterns on zirconia surfaces, aimed at enhancing their cell-instructive and antibacterial properties for biomedical applications. A femtosecond laser was employed to fabricate 3 and 10 μm periodic linear (L3 and L10) and grid (G3 and G10) patterns on tetragonal zirconia polycrystal stabilized with 3% molar yttrium oxide (3Y-TZP). The patterns exhibited homogeneous, high-aspect-ratio structures with laser-induced nanotopography within the grooves while maintaining minimal surface damage. All patterns significantly enhanced human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) adhesion, spreading, and migration through topographical guidance and nanotopography-induced cell anchoring. Pattern geometry influenced cell morphology and migration: linear patterns induced high elongation and alignment along the grooves, leading to unidirectional migration, while grid structures promoted widespread cells with bidirectional alignment, promoting bidirectional migration. Antibacterial assessment using Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ) (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) (Gram-positive) revealed a size-dependent bacterial response. The patterns of lower periodicity (L3 and G3) showed superior antibacterial properties, reducing bacterial colonization through distinct mechanisms: mechanical trapping for P. aeruginosa (25% reduction) and disruption of bacterial aggregation for S. aureus (30% reduction). Coculture experiments with hMSCs and bacteria confirmed that L3 and G3 surfaces effectively combined enhanced cell adhesion with reduced bacterial colonization, highlighting the potential of USP-DLIP for developing multifunctional cell-instructive and antibacterial biomaterial surfaces.
Institutions: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Saarland University, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: State Chancellery Saarland, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Generalitat de Catalunya, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Awards: G1066896890, Fine tune of cellular behavior: multifunctional materials for medical implants, G2028454253, G2262748287, G2957812903, G3005324705, Fine tune of cellular behavior: multifunctional materials for medical implants, G3251711671, G3480869486, G3681454997, G4042783231, G425668148, G4420297657, G451917667, G4904980878, G5297624039, G542927270, G5967599077, G6364954580, G6750883993, G7258688402, G7434936867, G7546769865, G8264417421, G8480541954, G898272807, G991129463
OpenAlex ID: W4410259149