Regulation of TiO2 nanoarrays on titanium implants for enhanced osteogenic activity and immunomodulation

Abstract

The surface topography of implants plays a major role in osteogenesis and immunomodulation. In this study, three types of TiO2 nanoarrays including nanorod arrays with a diameter of 45 nm (TiO2-N), nanorod arrays with a diameter of 60 nm (TiO2-N N), and nanocone arrays (TiO2-NW) are prepared on titanium and the behavior of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and polarization of macrophages are studied. Compared to the planar titanium control, TiO2 nanoarrays facilitate osteogenesis of BMSCs and stimulate the pro-healing M2 phenotype. However, adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs are more pronounced on TiO2-N N than both TiO2-N and TiO2-NW. TiO2-NN also produces the best immune microenvironment, while TiO2-NW is more favorable than TiO2-NN from the viewpoint of cell adhesion and spreading of osteoblasts.