Abstract: Objective This study investigated the effects of hydroxyapatite (HA)/chitosan (CS)-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) composite coatings on titanium surfaces, as well as on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Methods HA/CS-TGF-β1 composite coatings were prepared on titanium surfaces by physical, chemical, and biological modifications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and other methods were employed to analyze the chemical composition and surface topography of the composite coatings. CCK-8 and immunofluorescence assays were used to analyze the effects of the coatings on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Results HA/CS-TGF-β1 composite coatings were successfully prepared. Their contact angle was almost zero. These composite coatings were applied in vitro, with a drug released early and a burst release effect. The growth of osteoblasts was not inhibited on it and it had obvious promoting effect on the adhesion and early proliferation of osteoblasts. Conclusion The composite coatings significantly promote the adhesion and early proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro. This finding shows that the proposed method demonstrates a good prospective application in surface modification of titanium.

Key words: titanium, surface modification, cell adhesion, cell proliferation