Dual-Functional Nano-Functionalized Titanium Scaffolds to Inhibit Bacterial Growth and Enhance Osteointegration

Abstract

Implantable biomaterials play a key role for the success of orthopedic surgery procedures. However, infections remain one of the most damaging post-operative complications that lead to the implant failure. Recently, several approaches have been proposed to avoid or manage implant-associated infections. Among these, an appropriate surface functionalization to confer intrinsic antibacterial properties preserving the osteo-integration ability represents an appealing strategy for the development of innovative implant materials. Titanium and its alloys are the most used materials for manufacturing of both articular and bone skull prostheses as well as dental implants. However, to date there is still a significant clinical need to improve their bioactivity, osseointegration and antibacterial activity. In this study, titanium biomimetic scaffolds are prepared by nano-functionalization with TiO2 (Ti_TiO2) and γFe2O3 (Ti_γFe2O3). Both cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity have been evaluated. Data show that both nano-functionalized scaffolds exhibit a good antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus, reducing colony number to 99.4% (Ti_TiO2) and 99.9% (Ti_γFe2O3), respectively. In addition, an increase of both human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) cell proliferation (up to 4.3-fold for Ti_TiO2 and 3.7-fold for Ti_gFe2O3) and differentiation has been observed. These data suggest that these nano-functionalized titanium substrates represent promising prototypes for new antimicrobial and osteoconductive biomaterials to be used in the orthopedic field to reconstruct significant bone defect.

Enhanced osteogenic activity of titania-modified zirconia implant by ultraviolet irradiation

“…Titanium and titanium alloys obtain better bioactive surfaces because the surface of titanium implants generates TiO 2 immediately after they are exposed to oxygen or the atmosphere ( Li et al, 2018 ). TiO 2 can induce the formation of hydroxyapatite in the biological environment, resulting in bioactive bonding between TiO 2 and host bone ( Wang et al, 2016 ; Calabrese et al, 2021 ). According to reports, both anatase and rutile TiO 2 can generate a certain degree of osseointegration with bone ( Kokubo et al, 2007 ).…”

Translating Material Science into Bone Regenerative Medicine Applications: State-of-The Art Methods and Protocols

“…Bacteria dissociated from the biomaterial after a period of incubation can be counted and analyzed with a simple colony-forming unit (CFU) test [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 85 , 95 , 96 , 102 , 119 , 120 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 ].…”

Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine in Italy: Brief State of the Art of the Principal Research Centers

“…Calabrese et al coated titanium with titanium dioxide and ferric oxide to inhibit bacterial growth and enhance osteointegration. Nano-functionalized titanium substrates exhibited a good antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and MSC proliferation and differentiation [ 186 ]. Padua University has instead tested sphene biocoating to improve titanium osteointegration [ 187 , 188 ].…”

“… [ 167 ] Chitosan Functionalization with adhesive peptides Improvement of cell adhesion and proliferation. [ 165 ] PCL Functionalization organic and superparamagnetic nanoparticles Vascularization of bone scaffold Improvement of cell adhesion and proliferation [ 177 , 179 , 180 ] PLA Functionalization with organic and natural nanoparticles Vascularization of bone scaffold Periapical and alveolar bone regeneration Exosome-enriched bone scaffold [ 181 , 182 , 183 ] Titanium Tuneable porosity Functionalization with coating Bone implants [ 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 ] Type I collagen Bioactivity Functionalization 3D-printed bone scaffold [ 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 ] Wollastonite diopside Functionalization Scaffold functionalized with adhesive peptides …”