Adhesion of Human Osteoblasts Cell on CrN Thin Film Deposited by Cathodic Arc Plasma Deposition

Interaction between human osteoblast (hFOB 1.19) and CrN films was conducted in vitro. CrN films were produced by cathodic arc plasma deposition. The surface was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). CrN films, glass substrates and TiN films were cultured with human osteoblasts for 48 and 72 hours. Actin stress fiber patterns and cell adhesion of osteoblasts were found less organized and weak on CrN films compared to those on the glass substrates and the TiN films. Human osteoblasts also showed less proliferation and less distributed microtubule on CrN films compared to those on glass substrates and TiN films. Focal contact adhesion was not observed in the cells cultured on CrN films, whereas focal contact adhesion was observed well in the cells cultured on glass substrates and TiN films. As a result, the CrN film is a potential candidate as a surface coating to be used for implantable devices which requires minimal cellular adhesion.