Response of monocyte-derived dendritic cells to rapidly solidified nickel-titanium ribbons with shape memory properties

Eur Cell Mater. 2012 Jan 29:23:58-80. doi: 10.22203/ecm.v023a05.

Abstract

Ni-Ti Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) have attracted considerable attention as biomaterials for medical devices. However, the biocompatibility of Ni-Ti SMAs is often unsatisfactory due to their poor surface structure. Here we prepared Rapidly Solidified (RS) Ni-Ti SMA ribbons by melt-spinning and their surface was characterised by Auger-electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The biocompatibility of the produced ribbons and their immunomodulatory properties were studied on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). We showed that melt-spinning of Ni-Ti SMAs can form a thin homogenous oxide layer, which improves their corrosion resistance and subsequent toxicity to MoDCs. Ni-Ti RS ribbons stimulated the maturation of MoDCs, as detected by changes in the cells' morphology and increased expression of HLA-DR, CD86, CD40 and CD83 molecules. However, Ni-Ti RS ribbons enhanced the tolerogenic properties of immature MoDCs, which produced higher levels of IL-10 and IL-27, driving the differentiation of IL-10- and TGF-β-producing CD4+T cells. On the other hand, in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, an important pro-inflammatory biomolecule, Ni-Ti RS ribbons enhanced the allostimulatory and Th1 polarising capacity of MoDCs, whereas the production of Th2 and Th17 cytokines was down-regulated. In conclusion, Ni-Ti RS ribbons possess substantial immunomodulatory properties on MoDCs. These findings might be clinically relevant, because implanted Ni-Ti SMA devices can induce both desired and adverse effects on the immune system, depending on the microenvironmental stimuli.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / drug effects
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology*
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • HLA-DR Antigens / drug effects
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Monocytes / cytology*
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Nickel / pharmacology*
  • Phenotype
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cytokines
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • titanium nickelide
  • Nickel
  • Titanium