Abstract
PURPOSE: This study investigates the effects of hexagonal microtextured titanium sheets on fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis, crucial factors in anastomotic healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hexagonal titanium sheets were fabricated using a laser microtextured machine. Mouse fibroblastic embryonic stem cells (NIH/3T3) were cultured on these sheets. Cell proliferation was assessed using a CCK8 assay, and expression of TGF-β/Smad pathway-related genes and collagen types I and III was evaluated through qRT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: Hexagonal titanium sheets significantly enhanced fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis. The 50-30 group, with the smallest contact angle (48 ± 2.3°), exhibited the highest cell growth rates by CCK8 assay. Gene expression analysis revealed that TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and COL1A1 were significantly upregulated in the 50-30 group on day 7. Meanwhile, type I collagen expression was significantly increased in the 50-30 group on day 7 by western blot analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that laser-fabricated hexagonal microtextured titanium sheets enhance hydrophilicity and promote fibroblast growth, activating the TGF-β/Smad pathway to facilitate collagen synthesis. These results have important implications for tissue repair and regeneration.