Cellular Interactions and Modulated Osteoblasts Functions Mediated by Protein Adsorption

Abstract The rapid adsorption of proteins is one of the first few events that occur when a biomedical device is implanted and strongly affects attachment and proliferation of cells on the material surface. We describe here for the first time the favorable modulation of osteoblasts functions and cell–substrate interactions induced by protein adsorption (bovine serum albumin) on silicone elastomers. It was intriguing that the cell–substrate interactions on protein‐adsorbed silicone elastomer were significantly different from those observed in stand alone silicone. The origin and differences in cell–substrate interactions in terms of cell attachment, viability, and proliferation and assessment of proteins actin, vinculin, and fibronectin are addressed. Cell attachment and proliferation of cells were significantly enhanced on protein‐adsorbed surface in comparison to the bare surface. Similarly, the expression level of fibronectin, actin, and vinculin was appreciably greater on the protein‐adsorbed surface. The study underscores that protein adsorption on artificial biomedical devices can be envisaged as one of the methods to enhance the bioactivity on the surface and regulate biological functions.