Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have the ability to multi polarize with multiple tropisms and participate in tissue remodeling. This study assessed the effect of titanium dioxide nanotubes with different diameters on ossification of BMSC cells and HIF-1α expression
in BMSC ossification. Titanium dioxide nanotubes with different diameters were prepared and then the following groups were set according to the size of pressure; Ti group, NT10 group, NT30 group, and NT60 group. Analysis of cell morphology was done by fluorescence microscope, while adhesion
and proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. Moreover, ALP activity, collagen secretion and outer matrix mineralization and expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and TWIST were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot. The P3 generation of BMSC cells was successfully obtained. Three types of
nanotubes were arranged regularly and contact angle showed NT60<NT30<NT10<Ti, protein adsorption presented NT10>Ti>NT30>NT60 (P < 0.05). Cells from NT30 and N60 groups showed obvious expansion with pseudopodia and pseudo plates of cells. Cell adhesion showed changes
in sizes of NT10>Ti>NT30>NT66. NT60 group showed lower cell proliferation and higher ALP activity and collagen secretion than the other groups. NT30 and NT60 group presented higher mineralization level, larger diameter, and higher degree of promotion. The NT30 group presented lowest
content of HIF-1α (0.12 ± 0.03), VEGF (0.013 ± 0.004), and TWIST (0.014 ± 0.003). Inoculation of BMSCs on titanium dioxide nanotubes of different diameters under cyclical tensile stress environment can promote growth of BMSC cells in a diameter-dependent manner.