Nanostructured 316L Stainless Steel Stent Surfaces Improve Corrosion Resistance, and Enhance Endothelization and Hemocompatibility

Abstract Surface properties are crucial for ensuring the long‐term safety and effectiveness of cardiovascular stents. This study comprehensively investigates the influence of nanostructured 316L stainless steel (SS) surfaces on corrosion, endothelization, endothelial cell functions, and platelet interactions for cardiovascular stent applications. Toward this goal, nanodimple (ND) and nanopit (NP) morphologies, with feature sizes ranging from 25 to 220 nm, are fabricated on 316L SS surfaces via anodization. The nanostructured surfaces, regardless of their morphology or feature size, enhance the corrosion resistance of 316L SS. In vitro results show that human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) responded favorably to the nanostructured topography, demonstrating improved proliferation on the ND and NP surfaces. Additionally, higher HUVEC migration, enhanced angiogenesis‐related cellular functions and the upregulation of angiogenesis‐related genes are observed for the nanostructured surfaces. Furthermore, all nanostructured surfaces, independent of morphology and feature size, significantly reduced platelet adhesion and hemolysis rates. Notably, the ND200 surfaces, with 200 nm sized ND features, exhibited superior corrosion resistance, enhanced in vitro HUVEC functions, and improved hemocompatibility compared to the conventionally‐used 316L SS surfaces. Overall, the fabrication of nanostructures on 316L SS offers an innovative approach that may address clinical complications such as poor endothelization, and thrombus formation.