Functionalization of titanium with chitosan via silanation: evaluation of biological and mechanical performances

PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e39367. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039367. Epub 2012 Jul 31.

Abstract

Complications in dentistry and orthopaedic surgery are mainly induced by peri-implant bacterial infections and current implant devices do not prevent such infections. The coating of antibacterial molecules such as chitosan on its surface would give the implant bioactive properties. The major challenge of this type of coating is the attachment of chitosan to a metal substrate. In this study, we propose to investigate the functionalization of titanium with chitosan via a silanation. Firstly, the surface chemistry and mechanical properties of such coating were evaluated. We also verified if the coated chitosan retained its biocompatibility with the peri-implant cells, as well as its antibacterial properties. FTIR and Tof-SIMS analyses confirmed the presence of chitosan on the titanium surface. This coating showed great scratch resistance and was strongly adhesive to the substrate. These mechanical properties were consistent with an implantology application. The Chitosan-coated surfaces showed strong inhibition of Actinomyces naeslundii growth; they nonetheless showed a non significant inhibition against Porphyromonas gingivalis after 32 hours in liquid media. The chitosan-coating also demonstrated good biocompatibility to NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Thus this method of covalent coating provides a biocompatible material with improved bioactive properties. These results proved that covalent coating of chitosan has significant potential in biomedical device implantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Chitosan / pharmacology
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Porphyromonas gingivalis / drug effects
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / prevention & control
  • Silanes / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Silanes
  • Chitosan
  • Titanium

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Lyon Science Transfert Department of the University of Lyon. The departement had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.