OICC Press International Nano Letters 2228-5326 13 2 (June 2023) 2022 11 23 Titania nanotube arrays as nanobiomatrix interfaces for localized biomolecules delivery to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells 10.1007/s40089-022-00389-7 EN Norhan Hussein Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MY Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, SE1 9NH, GB Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MY Wan Nuramiera Faznie Wan Eddis Effendy Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MY Amirah Mohd Gazzali School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang, 11700, MY Khairul Arifah Saharudin Qdos Interconnect Sdn Bhd, Penang, 11900, MY Srimala Sreekantan School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Penang, 14300, MY Journal Article 2022 11 23 Abstract Titania nanotube arrays (TNA) surface has become a promising nano-surface technology for medical implant application. However, its application in neuro-prosthetics is still in infancy. This study investigates the interaction of neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells on TNA surface, especially in nutrient-rich environment modeled by fetal bovine serum (FBS). Detailed analysis was performed on properties, such as FBS release, surface wettability and SH-SY5Y cellular adhesion and proliferation. The FBS-loaded TNA showed a zero-order FBS release activity, which led to rapid burst release followed by extended release of up to 14 days. Neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells showed excellent adhesion and proliferation on the TNA surface especially in the nutrient-rich environment (FBS-loaded TNA) compared with the titanium foil (Ti) (control representing the surface without TNA). Preferential adhesion was observed on the chitosan-coated FBS-loaded TNA surface, whereas the highest percentage viability of viable cells was detected in non-coated FBS-loaded TNA. Furthermore, the surface wettability indicated that the TNA had the highest hydrophilicity. Findings from this study reveal the capability of TNA nano-topology to deliver FBS to neuronal cell lines and enhance the cellular proliferation activity. Further optimization of polymer-coated FBS-loaded TNA is needed to achieve a predictable release activity. These results can be important for the future research on neuro-prosthetic application especially involving advanced therapeutic opportunities. Graphical abstract Schematic depicting stages of TNA formation in its application to drug release. The stages showed (a) the formation of a TNA layer via anodization, (b) loading of serum into TNA and c) coating of TNA with chitosan polymer.