In vivo effect of immobilisation of bone morphogenic protein 2 on titanium implants through nano-anchored oligonucleotides

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that immobilisation of bone morphogenic proteins on the surface of titanium implants through nano-anchored oligonucleotides can enhance peri-implant bone formation. Non-coding 60-mer DNA oligonucleotides (ODN) were anchored to the surface of custom made sandblasted acid etched (SAE) titanium screw implants through anodic polarisation, gamma-sterilised with a standard dose of 25 kGy, and were hybridised with complementary 30-mer strands of DNA oligonucleotides conjugated to rhBMP2. Blank SAE implants, SAE implants with nano-anchored ODN and SAE implants with nano-anchored ODN and non-conjugated rhBMP2 served as controls. The implants were inserted into the tibiae of 36 Sprague Dawley rats. Perforations at the head and the tip of the implants allowed for bone ingrowth. Bone ingrowth into perforations and bone implant contact (BIC) as well as bone density (BD) at a distance of 200 µm from the implant surface were assessed after 1 , 4 and 13 weeks. Implants with nano-anchored ODN strands hybridised with conjugated rhBMP2 exhibited enhanced bone ingrowth into the perforations and increased BIC after 1 week as well as increased BIC after 4 weeks compared to controls. No difference was seen after 13 weeks. Bone density around the outer implant surface did not differ significantly at any of the intervals. It is concluded that rhBMP2 immobilised on the surface of titanium implants through nano-anchored oligonucleotide strands can enhance bone implant contact. The conditions of sterilisation tested allowed for handling under clinically relevant conditions.

Chondroitin sulfate and sulfated hyaluronan-containing collagen coatings of titanium implants influence peri-implant bone formation in a minipig model

An improved osseous integration of dental implants in patients with lower bone quality is of particular interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of artificial extracellular matrix implant coatings on early bone formation. The coatings contained collagen (coll) in conjunction with either chondroitin sulfate (CS) or sulfated hyaluronan (sHya). Thirty-six screw-type, grit-blasted, and acid-etched titanium implants were inserted in the mandible of 6 minipigs. Three surface states were tested: (1) uncoated control (2) coll/CS (3) coll/sHya. After healing periods of 4 and 8 weeks, bone implant contact (BIC), bone volume density (BVD) as well as osteoid related parameters were measured. After 4 weeks, control implants showed a BIC of 44% which was comparable to coll/CS coated implants (48%) and significantly higher compared to coll/sHya coatings (37%, p = 0.012). This difference leveled out after 8 weeks. No significant differences could be detected for BVD values after 4 weeks and all surfaces showed reduced BVD values after 8 weeks. However, at that time, BVD around both, coll/CS (30%, p = 0.029), and coll/sHya (32%, p = 0.015), coatings was significantly higher compared to controls (22%). The osteoid implant contact (OIC) showed no significant differences after 4 weeks. After 8 weeks OIC for controls was comparable to coll/CS, the latter being significantly higher compared to coll/sHya (0.9% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in osteoid volume density. In summary, implant surface coatings by the chosen organic components of the extracellular matrix showed a certain potential to influence osseointegration in vivo.

Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds coated with collagen and glycosaminoglycans: impact on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

In this study, we analyzed poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds modified with artificial extracellular matrices (aECM) consisting of collagen type I, chondroitin sulphate, and sulphated hyaluronan (sHya). We investigated the effect of these aECM coatings on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in vitro. We found that scaffolds were homogeneously coated, and cross-linking of aECM did not significantly influence the amount of collagen immobilized. Cell proliferation was significantly increased on cross-linked surfaces in expansion medium (EM), but was retarded on cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen/sHya coatings. The alkaline phosphatase activity was increased on sHya-containing coatings in EM even without the presence of differentiation supplements, but was six to ten times higher in differentiation medium (DM) and comparable for cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen/sHya. The highest amount of calcium phosphate mineral was deposited on day 28 on cross-linked collagen/sHya. Therefore, coatings of PLGA scaffolds with collagen/sHya promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro and might be an interesting candidate for the modification of PLGA for bone reconstruction in vivo.

Sulfated hyaluronan/collagen I matrices enhance the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro even in the absence of dexamethasone

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are multifunctional components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) involved in different steps of the regulation of cellular differentiation. In this study artificial extracellular matrices (aECM) consisting of collagen (Col) I and different GAG derivatives were used as a substrate for human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) to study osteogenic differentiation in vitro. hMSC were cultured on aECM containing col and hyaluronan sulfates (HyaS) with increasing degrees of sulfation (DS(S)) and were compared with aECM containing col and the natural GAG hyaluronan or chondroitin 4-sulfate. hMSC were analyzed for osteogenic differentiation markers such as calcium phosphate deposition, tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (runx2), osteocalcin (ocn) and bone sialoprotein II (bspII). Compared with aECM containing Col and natural GAG all Col/HyaS-containing aECM induced an increase in calcium phosphate deposition, TNAP activity and tnap expression. These effects were also seen in the absence of dexamethasone (an established osteogenic supplement). The expression of runx2 and ocn was not altered and the expression of bspII was diminished on the col/HyaS-containing aECM. The impact of the Col/HyaS-containing aECM on hMSC differentiation was independent of the DS(S) of the HyaS derivatives, indicating the importance of the primary (C-6) hydroxyl group of N-acetylglucosamine. These results suggest that Col/HyaS-containing aECM are able to stimulate hMSC to undergo osteogenic differentiation even in the absence of dexamethasone, which makes these matrices an interesting tool for hMSC-based tissue engineering applications and biomaterial functionalizations to enhance bone formation.

The impact of heat treatment on interactions of contact-poled biphasic calcium phosphates with proteins and cells

A number of studies have reported improved bone integration for calcium phosphate based materials electrically "poled" by an external electric field prior to implantation. In our study we investigated the effects of electrical polarization of a biphasic ceramic composed of 80% hydroxyapatite and 20% β-tricalcium phosphate. As contact poling involves elevated temperatures as a prerequisite for inducing charge, we used two reference types: samples without any heat treatment and poling, and samples with no poling but heat treatment identical to that of the poled samples. All heat-treated samples (poled or unpoled) showed an improved wettability, which was attributed to a reduced hydrocarbon contamination. Heat treatment alone provoked an accelerated spreading of osteoblast-like cells, whereas on poled samples a retarded cell spreading was observed. While proliferation and several differentiation markers were not influenced by either heat treatment or poling, the release of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and -8 was significantly reduced for all heat-treated samples, irrespective of additional electrical poling. The study demonstrated that the behaviour of cells in contact with poled biphasic ceramics was influenced by two parameters: heating and charge. Our data revealed that heating of the calcium phosphate ceramics had a much more pronounced effect on cell behaviour than charge.

Artificial extracellular matrices of collagen and sulphated hyaluronan enhance the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of dexamethasone

In this study we investigated the potential of artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) coatings containing collagen II and two types of glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) with different degrees of sulphation to promote human bone formation in biomedical applications. To this end their impact on growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was assessed. The cell proliferation was found to be significantly retarded in the first 14 days of culture on surfaces coated with collagen II and GAGs (coll-II/GAG) as compared to tissue culture polystyrol (TCPS) and those coated with collagen II. At later time points it only tended to be retarded on coll-II/sHya3.1. Heat-inactivation of the serum significantly reduced cell numbers on collagen II and coll-II/sHya3.1. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition, on the other hand, were higher for coatings containing sHya3.1 and were not significantly changed by heat-inactivation of the serum. Expression levels of the bone matrix proteins bone sialoprotein (BSP-II) and osteopontin (OP) were also increased on aECM coatings as compared to TCPS, which further validated the differentiation of hMSCs towards the osteogenic lineage. These observations reveal that aECM coatings, in particular those containing sHya3.1, are suitable to promote the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.

Angiogenic functionalisation of titanium surfaces using nano-anchored VEGF - an in vitro study

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that sandblasted and acid etched titanium surfaces can be functionalised with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using oligonucleotides for anchorage and slow release. rhVEGF165 molecules were conjugated to strands of 30-mer non-coding DNA oligonucleotides (ODN) and hybridised to complementary ODN anchor strands which had been immobilised to the surface of sandblasted/acid etched (SAE) Ti specimens. Specimens with non-conjugated VEGF adsorbed to ODN anchor strands and to blank SAE surfaces served as controls. Specific binding of conjugated VEGF exhibited the highest percentage of immobilised VEGF (71.0 %), whereas non-conjugated VEGF only achieved 53.2 and 30.7 %, respectively. Cumulative release reached 54.0 % of the immobilised growth factor in the group of specifically bound VEGF after 4 weeks, whereas non-conjugated VEGF adsorbed to ODN strands released 78.9% and VEGF adsorbed to SAE Ti surfaces released 97.4 %. Proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was significantly increased on the surfaces with specifically bound VEGF compared to the control surfaces and SAE Ti surfaces without VEGF. Moreover, the released conjugated VEGF exhibited biological activity by induction of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) in mesenchymal stem cells. It is concluded that the angiogenic functionalisation of SAE titanium surfaces can be achieved by conjugation of VEGF to ODN strands and hybridisation to complementary ODN strands that are anchored to the titanium surface. The angiogenic effect is exerted both through the immobilised and the released portion of the growth factor.

The bone architecture is enhanced with combined PTH and alendronate treatment compared to monotherapy while maintaining the state of surface mineralization in the OVX rat

This study examined the effect of PTH and alendronate alone and in combination on the bone architecture, mineralization, and estimated mechanics in the OVX rat. Female Wistar rats aged 7-9months were assigned to one of five groups: (1) sham+vehicle, (2) OVX+vehicle, (3) OVX+PTH, (4) OVX+alendronate, and (5) OVX+PTH and alendronate. Surgery was performed at baseline (week 0), and biweekly treatment (15μg/kg of alendronate and/or daily (5days/week) 40μg/kg hPTH(1-34)) was administered from week 6 to week 14. Micro-CT scans of the right proximal tibial metaphysis were made in vivo at weeks 0, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 and measurements of bone microarchitecture and estimated mechanical parameters (finite element analysis) were made from the images. Synchrotron radiation micro-CT scans of the proximal tibia and fourth lumbar vertebrae were conducted ex vivo at the study endpoint to determine the degree and spatial distribution of the bone mineralization. Alendronate preserved the microarchitecture after OVX, and increased cortical (9%, p<0.05) and trabecular thickness (5%, p<0.05). PTH mono- and combined therapy induced increases in cortical (25-35%, p<0.05) and trabecular thicknesses (46-48%, p<0.05), resulting in a full restoration of bone volume in the PTH group, and an increase beyond baseline in the combined group. Improvements in estimated mechanical outcomes were observed in all treatment groups by the end of the study, with the combined group experiencing the greatest increase in predicted stiffness (63%, p<0.05). Alendronate treatment increased the peak mineral content above the other treatment groups at the trabecular (tibia: 6% above PTH, 6% above combined, L4: 4% above PTH, 4% above combined) and endocortical (tibia: 4% above PTH, 3% above combined, L4: 1% above PTH, 2% above combined) surfaces, while no differences in mineralization between the PTH and combined groups were observed. Combined treatment resulted in more pronounced improvements of the bone architecture than PTH monotherapy, while maintaining the state of mineralization observed with PTH treatment.

Ovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: isolation and characterization of the cells and their osteogenic differentiation potential on embroidered and surface-modified polycaprolactone-co-lactide scaffolds

The current study was undertaken with the goal being isolation, cultivation, and characterization of ovine mesenchymal stem cells (oMSC). Furthermore, the objective was to determine whether biological active polycaprolactone-co-lactide (trade name PCL) scaffolds support the growth and differentiation of oMSC in vitro. The oMSC were isolated from the iliac crest of six merino sheep. Three factors were used to demonstrate the MSC properties of the isolated cells in detail. (1) Their ability to proliferate in culture with a spindle-shaped morphology, (2) presence of specific surface marker proteins, and (3) their capacity to differentiate into the three classical mesenchymal pathways, osteoblastic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Furthermore, embroidered PCL scaffolds were coated with collagen I (coll I) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). The porous structure of the scaffolds and the coating with coll I/CS allowed the oMSC to adhere, proliferate, and to migrate into the scaffolds. The coll I/CS coating on the PCL scaffolds induced osteogenic differentiation of hMSC, without differentiation supplements, indicating that the scaffold also has an osteoinductive character. In conclusion, the isolated cells from the ovine bone marrow have similar morphologic, immunophenotypic, and functional characteristics as their human counterparts. These cells were also found to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal cell types. This study demonstrates that embroidered PCL scaffolds can act as a temporary matrix for cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of oMSC. The data presented will provide a reliable model system to assess the translation of MSC-based therapy into a variety of valuable ovine experimental models under autologous settings.

How is wettability of titanium surfaces influenced by their preparation and storage conditions?

The effect of two different etching procedures with inorganic acids (HSE and CSE)-one using additionally strongly oxidising conditions due to the presence of CrO(3) (CSE)-and consecutive storage conditions (dry methanol and air) for previous corundum blasted titanium surfaces is compared with respect to their wettability behaviour and the potential of the etching processes for removing remaining blasting material. The etching procedures result in distinct different surface morphologies. Whereas the HSE surface shows sub-mm to sub-mum structures but neither porosity nor undercuts, the CSE surface is extremely rugged and porous with structures protruding the more homogeneously attacked areas by several micrometers. By EDX analysis both remaining blasting material and chromium and sulphur from the etching treatment has been detected on the CSE surfaces only. Both surfaces states show super-hydrophilic behaviour immediately after etching and storage up to 28 days in dry methanol. Whereas contact with air does not change super-hydrophilicity for the CSE samples, wettings angles of the HSE samples increase within minutes and reach about angles of about 60 degrees and 90 degrees after one and 2 days exposure to air, respectively. The increasing hydrophobicity is discussed with respect to the formation of a surface coverage from hydrocarbons originating from aromatic compounds present in traces in air.

Surface modification of titanium-based alloys with bioactive molecules using electrochemically fixed nucleic acids

A new method of surface modification for titanium (alloys) with bioactive molecules was developed with the intention of providing a new basis of implant adaptation for particular requirements of certain medical indications. Nucleic acid single strands are fixed electrochemically via their termini (regiospecifically) by growing an oxide layer on Ti6Al7Nb anodically. It could be shown that they are accessible to subsequent hybridization with complementary strands at physiological pH. Amount of nucleic acids immobilized and hybridized were determined radioanalytically using 32P-labelled nucleic acids. Stable fixation was attained at and above potentials of 4 V(SCE). Up to 4 pmol/cm2 of nucleic acid single strands could be immobilized and hybridization efficiencies up to 1.0 were reached. Hybridization efficiency was found to depend on surface density of immobilized oligonucleotides, while hybridization rates increased when MgCl2 was added. A conjugate consisting of an oligonucleotide complementary to the immobilized strand and the hexapeptide GRGDSP with RGD as an integrin recognition site was synthesized. This conjugate was able to bind to integrins on osteoblasts. It was shown that this conjugate binds to the anchor strand fixed on Ti6Al7Nb to an extent comparable with the unconjugated complementary strand.

Adjusting the chlorhexidine content of calcium phosphate coatings by electrochemically assisted co-deposition from aqueous solutions

Currently, a number of strategies to create either biologically active or antimicrobial surfaces of biomaterials are being developed and commercially applied. However, for metallic implants in contact with bone, both osteomyelitis and a fast and stable long-term fixation of implants are challenges to be overcome, especially in the case of bad bone quality. Therefore, the present work aims to develop compound coatings of calcium phosphate phases (CPP) and chlorhexidine (CHD) that combine bioactive properties with a strategy to prevent initial bacterial adhesion and thus offer a possible solution to the two major problems of implant surgery mentioned above. Using electrochemically assisted deposition of CPP on samples of Ti6Al4V together with the pH-dependent solubility of CHD, the preparation of coatings with a wide range of CHD concentrations (150 ng/cm(2) to 65 microg/cm(2)) from electrolytes with CHD concentrations between 50 and 200 microM was possible, thus allowing the adaptation of implant surface properties to different surgical and patient situations. Detailed SEM and FTIR analysis showed that coatings are formed by a co-deposition process of both phases and that CHD interacts with the deposition and transformation of CPP in the coating. For high CHD contents, coatings consist of CHD crystals coated by nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite.

Functionalization of dental implant surfaces using adhesion molecules

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that organic coating of titanium screw implants that provides binding sites for integrin receptors can enhance periimplant bone formation. Ten adult female foxhounds received experimental titanium screw implants in the mandible 3 months after removal of all premolar teeth. Four types of implants were evaluated in each animal: (1) implants with machined titanium surface, (2) implants coated with collagen I, (3) implants with collagen I and cyclic RGD peptide coating (Arg-Gly-Asp) with low RGD concentrations (100 micromol/mL), and (4) implants with collagen I and RGD coating with high RGD concentrations (1000 micromol/mL). Periimplant bone regeneration was assessed histomorphometrically after 1 and 3 months in five dogs each by measuring bone implant contact (BIC) and the volume density of the newly formed periimplant bone (BVD). After 1 month, BIC was significantly enhanced only in the group of implants coated with the higher concentration of RGD peptides (p = 0.026). Volume density of the newly formed periimplant bone was significantly higher in all implants with organic coating. No significant difference was found between collagen coating and RGD coatings. After 3 months, BIC was significantly higher in all implants with organic coating than in implants with machined surfaces. Periimplant BVD was significantly increased in all coated implants in comparison to machined surfaces also. It was concluded that organic coating of machined screw implant surfaces providing binding sites for integrin receptors can enhance bone implant contact and periimplant bone formation.

Comparison of microfocus- and synchrotron X-ray tomography for the analysis of osteointegration around Ti6Al4V implants

Micro-computed tomography (microCT) provides quantitative three-dimensional information of bone around titanium implants similar to classical histology. The study, based on an animal model, containing cuboid-shaped biofunctionalised Ti6Al4V implants with surrounding bone after 4 weeks, is performed using 3 microCT-systems with X-ray tubes, one synchrotron-radiation-based microCT-system (SRmicroCT), and classical histology. Although the spatial resolution of the microCT-systems is comparable, only the results of SRmicroCT agree with results of classical histology. The X-ray tube sources give rise to huge artefacts in the tomograms (interface scattering, beam hardening), which impaired the quantitative analysis of bone up to about 200microm from the implant surface. Due to the non-destructive character of microCT the specimens can be subsequently examined by classical histology without restriction. The quantitative comparison of bone formation uncovers the strong dependence of the newly formed bone from the selected slice. This implies the necessity of 3D analysis. SRmicroCT and classical histology prove that surface modifications of the titanium implant significantly influence the bone formation. Using SRmicroCT, the preparation artefacts due to cutting and polishing are excluded.

Transforming growth factor beta1 immobilized adsorptively on Ti6Al4V and collagen type I coated Ti6Al4V maintains its biological activity

Titanium and titanium alloys are often used for orthopedic and dental implants. Osseointegration of Ti6Al4V may be improved not only by precoating of the surface with extracellular matrix proteins like collagen type I but also by additional immobilization of growth factors. In the present study, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) which is known as an inducer of collagen synthesis was immobilized adsorptively on uncoated and collagen type I coated Ti6Al4V surfaces. TGF-beta1 was found immobilized slightly faster to collagen type I coated than to uncoated Ti6Al4V and released slower from the collagen coated material. Immobilized TGF-beta1 is biologically active for at least 3 weeks storage at 4 degrees C. Sterilization by ethylene oxide inactivates immobilized TGF-beta1. In osteoblasts cultured on implants with adsorptively immobilized TGF-beta1, mRNA level and specific catalytic activity of alkaline phosphatase as well as accumulation of calcium and phosphate were found reduced, whereas procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA level and the rate of collagen synthesis were increased.

Electrochemically assisted deposition of thin calcium phosphate coatings at near-physiological pH and temperature

An electrochemical method for the deposition of calcium phosphate phases on titanium surfaces using the galvanostatic mode is presented. Deposition was performed in a (Ca(2+) / H(x)PO(4) ((3-x)-))-containing electrolyte near physiological conditions with regard to pH (6.4) and temperature (36 degrees C). Cathodic alkalization leads first to the formation of a thin homogeneous layer that shows a nanoscale surface topography of alternating wall-like elevations and channels. It is thought that these channels in the calcium phosphate prelayer are formed as pathways for hydroxyl ions and hydrogen. Upon this layer, spheres of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) are formed as indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy. According to transmission electron microscopy images, these spheres consist of small clusters of calcium phosphate (approximately 30 nm) and can grow up to 300 nm in diameter. Characteristic for this ACP is a high water content as seen by FTIR. As a function of current density, the ACP is then transformed into crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP), which was identified using FTIR and X-ray diffraction. The morphology of the HAP crystals can be described as needles with dimensions of <500-nm length and <60-nm width. By choice of different electrochemical parameters, a homogeneous coating of either ACP, HAP, or the intermediate phase can be achieved, as shown in a kinetic phase diagram, thus allowing the formation of coatings with different properties in solubility and morphology.

Biological performance of biomimetic calcium phosphate coating of titanium implants in the dog mandible

The aim of the present study was to analyze the in vivo effect of biomimetic calcium phosphate coating of titanium implants on periimplant bone formation and bone-/implant contact. Five types of implants were used: 1) Ti6Al4V implants with a polished surface; 2) Ti6Al4V implants with collagen coating; 3) Ti6Al4V implants with a mineralized collagen layer; 4) Ti6Al4V implants with sequential coating of hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen; and 5) Ti6Al4V implants with HA coating only. All implants had square cross sections with an oblique diameter of 4.6 mm and were inserted press fit into trephine burr holes of 4.6 mm in the mandibles of ten beagle dogs. The implants of five animals each were evaluated after a healing period of 1 month and 3 months, respectively, during which time sequential fluorochrome labeling of bone formation had been performed. Bone formation was evaluated by morphometric measurement of the newly formed bone around the implants and the percentage of implant bone contact. After 1 month, there was a significantly higher percentage of mean bone/implant contact in the HA-coated implants compared to those with polished surface and those with the collagen-coated surface. After 3 months, these differences were not present anymore. Bone apposition was significantly higher next to implants with sequential HA/collagen coating compared to polished surfaces and mineralized collagen layer. It is concluded that biomimetic coating of titanium implants with HA has shown the clearest trend to increase bone-implant contact in the early ingrowth period. The addition of collagen to an HA coating layer may hold some promise when used as sequential HA/collagen coating with mineralized collagen as the surface layer.

Electrochemical behavior of titanium-based materials - are there relations to biocompatibility?

For biomedical applications the physico-chemical properties of oxide layers, always present in titanium-based materials, are of special interest because the biological system is in direct contact only with these oxides. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic polarization it is shown that the different compositions of c.p.-titanium, Ti6Al4V, and Ti6Al7Nb result in different physico-chemical properties of air formed passive layers and anodic oxide layers. This may have a direct impact on the biocompatibility of these materials. Results of impedance spectroscopy distinctly differ in the flatband potentials as well as in the donor densities of air-formed passive layers with Ti6Al7Nb showing an approximately 50% smaller donor density than the other materials. Anodic galvanostatic polarization results in voltage-charge density curves with distinct differences in the Faraday efficiency epsilon of the oxide formation between Ti6Al7Nb and c.p.-titanium/Ti6Al4V, especially for low current densities. These effects correlate strongly with the donor densities in the air formed passive films of the examined materials. SEM-images of anodic oxide layers show a blister containing surface morphology of the outer part of the oxide layers for all materials. This morphology is probably caused by oxygen evolution, a process which relies on the transfer of electrons through the growing anodic oxide layers and strongly depends on the donor density in the air formed passive layers. Again, the much more pronounced morphology on c.p. titanium/Ti6Al4V agrees with the different donor densities in the air formed passive layers on the materials. These findings correlate with the good biocompatibility of Ti6Al7Nb and suggest that conduction mechanisms, in air formed passive layers and anodic oxide layers, contribute to processes that determine the biocompatibility of these materials.

Proliferation and differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts on type I collagen-coated titanium alloy

Several attempts have been made to improve osseointegration of titanium alloy as an implant material by modification of its surface. In the present study, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts on type I collagen-coated Ti6Al4V were investigated. The activity of alkaline phosphatase and the accumulation of calcium by osteoblasts grown on titanium alloy were significantly higher compared to cells grown on polystyrene. Precoating of the implant surface with type I collagen did not extensively affect proliferation, the activity of alkaline phosphatase, collagen synthesis, calcium accumulation, or the mRNA levels for collagen I alpha1, osteopontin, osteocalcin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2. Maximum collagen synthesis by osteoblasts was observed at day 4 of culture independent of the type of implant material. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase reached its maximum at day 18 of culture. Accumulation of calcium and elevated mRNA levels for osteocalcin were found at day 22. These results indicate that collagen-coating alone is not sufficient to accelerate differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts on Ti6Al4V.

Biomimetic coatings functionalized with adhesion peptides for dental implants

A complete biological integration into the surrounding tissues (bone, gingiva) is a critical step for clinical success of a dental implant. In this work biomimetic coatings consisting either of collagen type I (for the gingiva region) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) or mineralized collagen (for the bone interface) have been developed as suitable surfaces regarding the interfaces. Additionally, using these biomimetic coatings as a matrix, adhesion peptides were bound to further increase the specificity of titanium implant surfaces. To enhance cell attachment in the gingiva region, a linear adhesion peptide developed from a laminin sequence (TWYKIAFQRNRK) was bound to collagen, whereas for the bone interface, a cyclic RGD peptide was bound to HAP and mineralized collagen using adequate anchor systems. The biological potential of these coatings deduced from cell attachment experiments with HaCaT human keratinocytes and MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts showed the best results for collagen and laminin sequence coating for the gingiva region and mineralized collagen and RGD peptide coatings for regions with bone contact. Our concept opens promising approaches to improve the biological integration of dental implants.

Titanium powder sintering for preparation of a porous functionally graded material destined for orthopaedic implants

This work focuses on basic research into a P/M processed, porous-surfaced and functionally graded material (FGM) destined for a permanent skeletal replacement implant with improved structural compatibility. Based on a perpendicular gradient in porosity the Young's modulus of the material is adapted to the elastic properties of bone in order to prevent stress shielding effects and to provide better long-term performance of the implant-bone system. Using coarse Ti particle fractions the sintering process was accelerated by silicon-assisted liquid-phase sintering (LPS) resulting in a substantial improvement of the neck geometry. A novel evaluation for the strength of the sinter contacts was proposed. The Young's modulus of uniform non-graded stacks ranged from 5 to 80 GPa as determined by ultrasound velocity measurements. Thus, the typical range for cortical bone (10-29 GPa) was covered. The magnitude of the Poisson's ratio proved to be distinctly dependent on the porosity. Specimens with porosity gradients were successfully fabricated and characterized using quantitative description of the microstructural geometry and acoustic microscopy.

Collagen type I-coating of Ti6Al4V promotes adhesion of osteoblasts

The initial contact of osteoblasts with implant surfaces is an important event for osseointegration of implants. Osseointegration of Ti6Al4V may be improved by precoating of its surface with collagen type I. In this study, the adhesion of rat calvarial osteoblasts to uncoated and collagen type I-coated titanium alloy was investigated over a period of 24 h. Collagen type I-coating accelerates initial adhesion of osteoblasts in the presence of fetal calf serum. One hour after plating, no differences in the percentage of adherent cells between the surfaces investigated were found. Adhesion of osteoblasts to uncoated surfaces was reduced by the GRGDSP peptide by about 70%, whereas adhesion to collagen type I-coated surfaces remained unaffected by treatment of the cells with the peptide. Cell adhesion to coated materials was reduced by about 80% by anti-integrin beta1 antibody. The integrin beta1 antibody did not influence the adhesion to uncoated titanium alloy. The results suggest that osteoblasts adhere to collagen type I-coated materials via integrin beta1 but not by interacting with RGD peptides, whereas adhesion to uncoated titanium alloy is mediated by RGD sequences but not via integrin beta1. Fibronectin does not seem to be involved in the adhesion of osteoblasts to either coated or uncoated titanium alloy.

Tools for tissue engineering of mineralized oral structures

This paper presents a short review of three groups of tools which can be or are used for the tissue engineering of mineralized oral structures: growth factor delivery systems (GFDS) and surface bioactivation with covalent bound peptides or with nanomechanically linked proteins. According to the reported personal experience of the authors, GFDS have to face the following challenging issue before being used routinely in dentistry, e.g., as a tool for reparative dentinogenesis or bone healing: adaptation of the GFDS design to the tissue where it will be implanted in order to deliver the right dose of growth factor (GF) at the right time. The bioactivation of surfaces, for example of dental implants, with covalent bound peptides or nanomechanically linked proteins represents a second innovative way to improve dental health in the future. Here we report on the experimental use of cyclic RGD peptides grafted on polymethylmethacrylate to improve osteoblast adhesion. Furthermore, we show the potential advantage of immobilizing and incorporating collagen I on titanium implant surfaces. These techniques or a combination of them will help to create improvements, for example, of dental implants in the near future. They will also help to promote bone and dentin regeneration.