Biological Characteristics of the MG-63 Human Osteosarcoma Cells on Composite Tantalum Carbide/Amorphous Carbon Films

Abstract

Tantalum (Ta) is a promising metal for biomedical implants or implant coating for orthopedic and dental applications because of its excellent corrosion resistance, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility. This study synthesizes biocompatible tantalum carbide (TaC) and TaC/amorphous carbon (a-C) coatings with different carbon contents by using a twin-gun magnetron sputtering system to improve their biological properties and explore potential surgical implant or device applications. The carbon content in the deposited coatings was regulated by controlling the magnetron power ratio of the pure graphite and Ta cathodes. The deposited TaC and TaC/a-C coatings exhibited better cell viability of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 than the uncoated Ti and Ta-coated samples. Inverted optical and confocal imaging was used to demonstrate the cell adhesion, distribution, and proliferation of each sample at different time points during the whole culture period. The results show that the TaC/a-C coating, which contained two metastable phases (TaC and a-C), was more biocompatible with MG-63 cells compared to the pure Ta coating. This suggests that the TaC/a-C coatings exhibit a better biocompatible performance for MG-63 cells, and they may improve implant osseointegration in clinics.

Effects of nano tantalum implants on inducing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation

“…It needs a long healing period to form a functional restoration. As a new restoration material, nano tantalum (Ta) has been confirmed as optimal for the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts (5). Nano structure is better for the growth of the osteoblasts than a micron structure (6).…”

Combining 3D human in vitro methods for a 3Rs evaluation of novel titanium surfaces in orthopaedic applications

“…The use of human cells is another advantage—here an MG63 osteoblast‐like cell line (Chang et al, 2014; Gittens et al, 2011; Madhankumar et al, 2014; Tan et al, 2011; Yazici et al, 2013; Yeung et al, 2013) and primary human osteoblast cells (Balani et al, 2007; Gough et al, 2004; Jones et al, 2007; Rice et al, 2003) were used. Although the MG63 cell line is immortalized (Schmidt et al, 2001), such cells are suitable for establishing initial experimental conditions.…”

Tantalum carbide coating on Ti‐6Al‐4V by electron beam physical vapor deposition method: Study of corrosion and biocompatibility behavior

“…Chang et al compared the Ta and TaC coating on the Ti surface using twin‐gun unbalanced magnetron sputtering. The results showed more biocompatibility, cell adhesion, and proliferation of TaC coating rather than Ta coating …”

“…The results showed more biocompatibility, cell adhesion, and proliferation of TaC coating rather than Ta coating. 14 The electron beam method provides unique characteristics in the coating structure, leading to a dense, uniform, and continuous coating with excellent substrate adhesion. 15 Further, this technique allows very good control of the coating morphology during deposition, the use of high melting point materials, such as TaC which has a melting point of 4780°C, and most importantly, the deposition at different coating rates ranging from 1 nm/min to several lm/min.…”