Surface analysis and osteoblasts response of a titanium oxi-carbide film deposited on titanium by ion plating plasma assisted (IPPA)

A Review of the Effect of a Nanostructured Thin Film Formed by Titanium Carbide and Titanium Oxides Clustered around Carbon in Graphitic Form on Osseointegration

Improving the biocompatibility of implants is an extremely important step towards improving their quality. In this review, we recount the technological and biological process for coating implants with thin films enriched in titanium carbide (TiC), which provide improved cell growth and osseointegration. At first, we discuss the use of a Pulsed Laser Ablation Deposition, which produced films with a good biocompatibility, cellular stimulation and osseointegration. We then describe how Ion Plating Plasma Assisted technology could be used to produce a nanostructured layer composed by graphitic carbon, whose biocompatibility is enhanced by titanium oxides and titanium carbide. In both cases, the nanostructured coating was compact and strongly bound to the bulk titanium, thus particularly useful to protect implants from the harsh oxidizing environment of biological tissues. The morphology and chemistry of the nanostructured coating were particularly desirable for osteoblasts, resulting in improved proliferation and differentiation. The cellular adhesion to the TiC-coated substrates was much stronger than to uncoated surfaces, and the number of philopodia and lamellipodia developed by the cells grown on the TiC-coated samples was higher. Finally, tests performed on rabbits confirmed in vivo that the osseointegration process of the TiC-coated implants is more efficient than that of uncoated titanium implants.

Nanostructured TiC Layer is Highly Suitable Surface for Adhesion, Proliferation and Spreading of Cells

Cell culture is usually performed in 2D polymer surfaces; however, several studies are conducted with the aim to screen functional coating molecules to find substrates more suitable for cell adhesion and proliferation. The aim of this manuscript is to compare the cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization of different cell types on different surfaces. Human primary fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts isolated from patients undergoing surgery were seeded on polystyrene, poly-d-lysine-coated glass and titanium carbide slides and left to grow for several days. Then their cytoskeleton was analyzed, both by staining cells with phalloidin, which highlights actin fibers, and using Atomic Force Microscopy. We also monitored the production of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Osteocalcin, using ELISA, and we highlighted production of Collagen type I in fibroblasts and osteoblasts and Collagen type II in chondrocytes by immunofluorescences. Fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts showed both an improved proliferative activity and a good adhesion ability when cultured on titanium carbide slides, compared to polystyrene and poly-d-lysine-coated glass. In conclusion, we propose titanium carbide as a suitable surface to cultivate cells such as fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts, allowing the preservation of their differentiated state and good adhesion properties.

The Surface Anodization of Titanium Dental Implants Improves Blood Clot Formation Followed by Osseointegration

The anodization of titanium dental implant influences the biologic processes of osseointegration. 34 grit-blasted and acid-etched titanium specimens were used to evaluate micro- and nano-roughness (Ra), contact angle (θ) and blood clot extension (bce). 17 samples were anodized (test) while the remaining were used as control. The bce, was measured using 10 µL of human blood left in contact with titanium for 5 min at room temperature. The micro- and nano-scale Ra were measured under CLSM and AFM, respectively, while the θ was analyzed using the sessile drop technique. The bone-implant contact (BIC) rate was measured on two narrow implants retrieved for fracture. bce was 42.5 (±22) for test and 26.6% (±13)% for control group (p = 0.049). The micro-Ra was 6.0 (±1.5) for the test and 5.8 (±1.8) µm for control group (p > 0.05). The θ was 98.5° (±18.7°) for test and 103° (±15.2°) for control group (p > 0.05). The nano-Ra was 286 (±40) for the test and 226 (±40) nm for control group (p < 0.05). The BIC rate was 52.5 (±2.1) for test and 34.5% (±2.1%) for control implant (p = 0.014). (Conclusions) The titanium anodized surface significantly increases blood clot retention, significantly increases nano-roughness, and favors osseointegration. When placing dental implants in poor bone quality sites or with immediate loading protocol anodized Ti6Al4V dental implants should be preferred.

Improving Osteoblast Response In Vitro by a Nanostructured Thin Film with Titanium Carbide and Titanium Oxides Clustered around Graphitic Carbon

Introduction

Recently, we introduced a new deposition method, based on Ion Plating Plasma Assisted technology, to coat titanium implants with a thin but hard nanostructured layer composed of titanium carbide and titanium oxides, clustered around graphitic carbon. The nanostructured layer has a double effect: protects the bulk titanium against the harsh conditions of biological tissues and in the same time has a stimulating action on osteoblasts.

Results

The aim of this work is to describe the biological effects of this layer on osteoblasts cultured in vitro. We demonstrate that the nanostructured layer causes an overexpression of many early genes correlated to proteins involved in bone turnover and an increase in the number of surface receptors for α3β1 integrin, talin, paxillin. Analyses at single-cell level, by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and single cell force spectroscopy, show how the proliferation, adhesion and spreading of cells cultured on coated titanium samples are higher than on uncoated titanium ones. Finally, the chemistry of the layer induces a better formation of blood clots and a higher number of adhered platelets, compared to the uncoated cases, and these are useful features to improve the speed of implant osseointegration.

Conclusion

In summary, the nanostructured TiC film, due to its physical and chemical properties, can be used to protect the implants and to improve their acceptance by the bone.

Titanium surfaces with nanostructures influence on osteoblasts proliferation: a systematic review

Objectives

Nanothechnology found to be increasingly implemented in implantology sphere over the recent years and it shows encouraging effect in this field. The aim of present review is to compare, based on the recent evidence, the influence of various nanostructure surface modifications of titanium for implants, on osteoblasts proliferation.

Material and Methods

A literature review of English articles was conducted by using MEDLINE database restricted to 2009 - 2014 and constructed according PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included “Titanium implant”, “Titanium surface with nanostructure”, “Osteoblast”. Additional studies were identified in bibliographies. Only in vitro and/or in vivo studies on nano structured implant surfaces plus control sample, with specific evaluation method for osteoblasts proliferation and at least one Ti sample with nanostructure, were included in the review.

Results

32 studies with 122 groups of examined samples were selected for present review. Each study conducted in vitro experiment, two studies conducted additional in vivo experiments. All studies were dispensed by type of surface modification into two major groups; “Direct ablative titanium implant surface nano-modifications” with 19 studies and ”Nanocomposite additive implant surface modifications” with 13 studies. Overall 24 studies reporting on positive effect of nanostructured surface, 2 studies found no significant advantage and 6 studies reported on negative effect compared to other structure scales.

Conclusions

From examination of selected articles we can notice marked advantage in implementation of various nanostructures onto implant surface. Yet for discovering the ultimate implant surface nanostructure, further comparable investigations of Ti surface nanostructures need to be done.

Angiopoietin-1 peptide QHREDGS promotes osteoblast differentiation, bone matrix deposition and mineralization on biomedical materials

Bone loss occurs as a consequence of a variety of diseases as well as from traumatic injuries, and often requires therapeutic intervention. Strategies for repairing and replacing damaged and/or lost bone tissue include the use of biomaterials and medical implant devices with and without osteoinductive coatings. The soluble growth factor angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) has been found to promote cell adhesion and survival in a range of cell types including cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts through an integrin-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, the short sequence QHREDGS has been identified as the integrin-binding sequence of Ang-1 and as a synthetic peptide has been found to possess similar integrin-dependent effects as Ang-1 in the aforementioned cell types. Integrins have been implicated in osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization, processes critical to bone regeneration. By binding integrins on the osteoblast surface, QHREDGS could promote cell survival and adhesion, as well as conceivably osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. Here we immobilized QHREDGS onto polyacrylate (PA)-coated titanium (Ti) plates and polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels. The osteoblast differentiation marker, alkaline phosphatase, peaked in activity 4-12 days earlier on the QHREDGS-immobilized PA-coated Ti plates than on the unimmobilized, DGQESHR (scrambled)- and RGDS-immobilized surfaces. Significantly more bone matrix was deposited on the QHREDGS-immobilized Ti surface than on the other surfaces as determined by atomic force microscopy. The QHREDGS-immobilized hydrogels also had a significantly higher mineral-to-matrix (M/M) ratio determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Alizarin Red S and von Kossa staining and quantification, and environmental scanning electron microscopy showed that while both the QHREDGS- and RGDS-immobilized surfaces had extensive mineralization relative to the unimmobilized and DGQESHR-immobilized surfaces, the mineralization was more considerable on the QHREDGS-immobilized surface, both with and without the induction of osteoblast differentiation. Finally, treatment of cell monolayers with soluble QHREDGS was demonstrated to upregulate osteogenic gene expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the QHREDGS peptide is osteoinductive, inducing osteoblast differentiation, bone matrix deposition and mineralization.