Cell shape and spreading of stromal (mesenchymal) stem cells cultured on fibronectin coated gold and hydroxyapatite surfaces

▶ In this study we have shown that the surface activation of fibronectin is enhanced significantly on hydroxyapatite compared with a reference gold substrate. ▶ We argue that this is most likely caused by a more intensified unfolding of the protein on hydroapatite exposing the cell-binding domain on fibronectin. ▶ The protein studies were followed by mesenchymal stem cell studies. Here the cell morphology and cell spreading was examined and a slightly more ideal cellular morphology and higher cell spreading was found on fibronectin coated hydroxyapatite surfaces.