Morphological and Surface Potential Characterization of Protein Nanobiofilm Formation on Magnesium Alloy Oxide: Their Role in Biodegradation

Langmuir. 2022 Sep 6;38(35):10854-10866. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01540. Epub 2022 Aug 22.

Abstract

The formation of a protein nanobiofilm on the surface of degradable biomaterials such as magnesium (Mg) and its alloys influences metal ion release, cell adhesion/spreading, and biocompatibility. During the early stage of human body implantation, competition and interaction between inorganic species and protein molecules result in a complex film containing Mg oxide and a protein layer. This film affects the electrochemical properties of the metal surface, the protein conformational arrangement, and the electronic properties of the protein/Mg oxide interface. In this study, we discuss the impact of various simulated body fluids, including sodium chloride (NaCl), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and Hanks' solutions on protein adsorption, electrochemical interactions, and electrical surface potential (ESP) distribution at the adsorbed protein/Mg oxide interface. After 10 min of immersion in NaCl, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) showed a higher surface roughness related to enhanced degradation and lower ESP distribution on a Mg-based alloy than those in other solutions. Furthermore, adding bovine serum albumin (BSA) to all solutions caused a decline in the total surface roughness and ESP magnitude on the Mg alloy surface, particularly in the NaCl electrolyte. Using SKPFM surface analysis, we detected a protein nanobiofilm (∼10-20 nm) with an aggregated and/or fibrillary morphology only on the Mg surface exposed in Hanks' and PBS solutions; these surfaces had a lower ESP value than the oxide layer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys*
  • Corrosion
  • Humans
  • Magnesium Oxide
  • Magnesium* / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Oxides
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Oxides
  • Magnesium Oxide
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Magnesium