ZnO nanorod–templated well-aligned ZrO 2 nanotube arrays for fibroblast adhesion and proliferation

Cellular responses to porous tubular structures have recently been investigated in highly ordered ZrO 2 nanotube arrays fabricated with anodization. However, the potential applications of the nanotube arrays are hindered by instrument requirements and substrate limitations, as well as by the complicated processes needed for synthesis. In this work, ZrO 2 nanotube arrays were synthesized by in situ hydrolysis of zirconium propoxide with a zinc oxide nanorod array–based template. Fibroblast cells were able to grow on the nanotube array surface with produced elongated filopodia. Studies of the capability of cell growth and the expression of adhesion- and proliferation-related genes reveal that ZrO 2 nanotube arrays may provide a better environment for cell adhesion and growth than a flat titanium surface. These findings not only provide fundamental insight into cell response to nanostructures but also provide an opportunity to use a unique approa...

Zhisong Lu, Zhihong Zhu, Jinping Liu, Weihua Hu and Chang Ming Li

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