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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.11.04.686303

The Role of Fetuin-A on the Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblast-like Cells on Model Gold Surfaces

Merlo, A.·Medin, J.·Scott, S.·Dahlin, A.·Grandfield, K.·Sask, K. N.
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Abstract

Fetuin-A is a plasma protein of interest for bone-interfacing applications due to its role in mineralization processes through calcium/phosphate ion-binding capabilities. However, the role of fetuin-A in the initial stages of cellular interaction with biomaterials and the mechanisms involved are not fully clear. This work investigated the response of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells to model gold substrates presenting pre-adsorbed fetuin-A as a surface modification, to determine the role of the protein in cell attachment and proliferation. Correlative quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), surface plasmon resonance, and radiolabeling confirmed fetuin-A adsorbed on model surfaces in similar quantities compared to serum albumin but formed a less packed layer with increased water entrapment. Surfaces presenting pre-adsorbed fetuin-A enhanced cellular adhesion, similar to fibronectin, but attached cells displayed morphological characteristics more similar to those with pre-adsorbed albumin, with lower average surface area and maximum axis. Over 3 days, fetuin-A exhibited lower cellular proliferation compared to the fibronectin control, likely correlated to the decrease in cellular metabolism observed at the same time-point, and persisted over 7 days. These results provide insight into the role of adsorbed fetuin-A for bone-interfacing implant applications, suggesting the pre-adsorption of the protein alone aids cellular attachment, but is not sufficient to promote early stages of osseointegration.

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Merlo, A., Medin, J., Scott, S., Dahlin, A., Grandfield, K., Sask, K. N.. 2025-11-05. The Role of Fetuin-A on the Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblast-like Cells on Model Gold Surfaces. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.04.686303

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