Effect of a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser on the physicochemical properties of contaminated titanium surfaces and macrophage polarization

Abstract

Aim(s): The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the physical and chemical properties of titanium surfaces contaminated by a Nd:YAG laser with different levels of energy and the regulation of macrophage polarization.

Materials and methods: The titanium specimens were divided into four groups. The blank control group consisted of the above-mentioned contaminated titanium specimens, and the conditioned control group consisted of sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces. The blank control and condition control groups were sealed and preserved in a sterile dark box. There were two experimental groups treated with the Nd:YAG laser-one with 0.5 W and the second with 1.0 W. Surface characteristics were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry, and contact angle assays. The macrophage viability and proliferation of mouse RAW246.7 were analysed, and the macrophage surface markers, macrophage cytokines, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes were expressed.

Results: The Nd:YAG laser increased the hydrophilicity and roughness of the titanium surface after decontamination. Fewer RAW264.7 cells were observed on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination than on the contaminated titanium surface expressing the M1-type macrophage marker CCR7, whereas more cells were observed after decontamination than on the contaminated titanium surface expressing the M2-type macrophage marker CD206. Following Nd:YAG laser treatment, the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α by RAW264.7 cells on the titanium surface was decreased, whereas the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 was increased. RAW264.7 cells cultured for 3 days on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination treatment expressed significantly reduced levels of the inflammation-related genes IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS. The expression of the anti-inflammatory genes Arg-1, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β by RAW264.7 cells was significantly up-regulated after 3 days of incubation on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination treatment.

Conclusion(s): The Nd:YAG laser increased the hydrophilicity and roughness of the titanium surface after decontamination, and this change inhibited M1-type macrophage polarization and promoted M2-type macrophage polarization.

Keywords: Nd:YAG laser; decontamination treatment; macrophage polarization; roughness and hydrophilicity of titanium surface.