Titanium surface characteristics, including topography and wettability, alter macrophage activation

Abstract

Biomaterial surface properties including chemistry, topography, and wettability regulate cell response. Previous studies have shown that increasing surface roughness of metallic orthopaedic and dental implants improved bone formation around the implant. Little is known about how implant surface properties can affect immune cells that generate a wound healing microenvironment. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of surface modifications on macrophage activation and cytokine production. Macrophages were cultured on seven surfaces: tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) control; hydrophobic and hydrophilic smooth Ti (PT and oxygen-plasma-treated (plasma) PT); hydrophobic and hydrophilic microrough Ti (SLA and plasma SLA), and hydrophobic and hydrophilic nano-and micro-rough Ti (aged modSLA and modSLA). Smooth Ti induced inflammatory macrophage (M1-like) activation, as indicated by increased levels of interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα. In contrast, hydrophilic rough titanium induced macrophage activation similar to the anti-inflammatory M2-like state, increasing levels of interleukins IL-4 and IL-10. These results demonstrate that macrophages cultured on high surface wettability materials produce an anti-inflammatory microenvironment, and this property may be used to improve the healing response to biomaterials.

The response of human osteoblasts, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages and oral bacteria to nanostructured titanium surfaces: a systematic study

“…[10][11][12] Although rapid physiological resolution of inflammation is conducive to tissue healing, continued chronic inflammation would result in the hyperplasia of fibrotic scar tissue, ultimately leading to implant failure. 13,14 Therefore, it would also be beneficial for early tissue healing and implant success to control the inflammatory process through macrophage polarization.…”

TiO2 Nanotubes on Ti Dental Implant. Part 1: Formation and Aging in Hank’s Solution

“…However, the insufficient new bone formation is observed due to necrosis of hard and soft tissues that result in the implant loosening and subsequent failure [11,12]. The titanium implant surface shape and chemical composition have also been studied to enhance osseointegration, decrease necrosis and prevent inflammation [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Titania nanotubes, formed by anodic oxidation, are a candidate method for the modification of the surface of titanium implants to enhance bone formation function.…”

Biomedical applications of nanotechnology

“…Moreover, surfaces containing polar groups (COOH and NH 2 ) display an enhanced activity of integrins, which leads to a higher adhesion and spreading of fibroblast cells (Faucheux et al 2004). Using macrocrophage cultures, Hotchkiss et al (2016) observed that materials with high surface wettability produced an antiinflammatory microenvironment through activation of macrophages and the production of cytokines, indicating it is crucial to control wettability when attempting to improve the healing response to biomaterials.…”