Improving endothelialization on 316L stainless steel through wettability controllable coating by sol–gel technology

Rapid endothelialization by surface coverage is considered as a way to increase blood compatibility of the vascular stent and reduce smooth muscle cell (SMC) mediated restenosis. Coatings on 316L stainless steels with different wettabilities and similar topographies were obtained through sol–gel process by regulating the proportions of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES). Adhesion and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (EC) and SMC on these substrates have been evaluated by cell numbers, cell morphology, and expression of cytoskeletal protein. Results showed that EC and SMC responded differently to the coated surfaces. Enhanced endothelialization of bare 316L was found at the moderately hydrophilic coating (contact angle 45.3°) which exhibited effective inhibition of SMC and negligible influence on EC. These results are expected to lay foundation for the solution of the vascular restenosis which was mainly derived from the hyperplasia of SMC.