Different Cell Responses on Biologically Inspired Nano-coatings for Orthopedic Applications

Abstract

AbstractVarious bone defects, caused by trauma, disease or age-related degeneration, represent a crucial clinical problem all over the world. However, traditional implant materials may cause many complications after surgeries, leading to intense patient pain. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was to develop a biologically inspired coating on conventional titanium with materials that possess biomimetic nanostructured architectures and favorable surface chemistry. Specifically, self-assembled rosette nanotubes (RNTs) functionalized with various osteogenic peptides and amino acids (such as lysine-arginine-serine-arginine (KRSR), arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) and lysine (K)) were designed as coatings. Results revealed excellent cytocompatibility properties of these RNTs towards enhancing osteoblast (bone forming cell) and endothelial cell adhesion. In particular, KRSR and RGD functionalized RNTs coated on titanium promoted the greatest osteoblast densities when compared to uncoated titanium. In addition, the KRSR functionalized RNTs selectively improved osteoblast adhesion but not endothelial cell adhesion when coated on titanium. From this study, it can be speculated that the biologically inspired nanotubular structure and osteogenic surface chemistry of RNTs altered the surface properties of titanium to transform it into a more favorable environment for orthopedic applications.