Cell and protein adsorption studies using quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation monitoring

The adsorption of plasma proteins fibrinogen and fibronectin on Ti, TiO2 and steel surfaces was examined using quartz-crystal microgravimetry with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Subsequent coupling of epitope-specific antibodies revealed information about the orientation of the protein molecules adhered to the surface, the results being confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurements. QCM-D was also utilized for the characterization of osteoblast and fibroblast adsorption on the same materials. The evaluation of dissipation shifts plotted vs. changes of the resonance frequency showed significant differences in the time-dependent behavior of the two cell lines adsorbed to the three material surfaces, thus proving QCM-D as a promising method for judging the specific cell reaction to a given surface and therefore predicting the in-vivo performance of medical implants. This method is valid especially in combination with a well known biocompatible surface as a control.