Enhancing osseointegration of titanium implants through MC3T3-E1 protein-gelatin polyelectrolyte multilayers

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2024 Feb;112(2):e35373. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.35373.

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys have found extensive use in the biomedical field, however, implant loosening due to weak osseointegration remains a concern. Improved surface morphology and chemical composition can enhance the osseointegration of the implant. Bioactive molecules have been utilized to modify the surface of the titanium-based material to achieve rapid and efficient osseointegration between the implant and bone tissues. In this study, the bioactive substance MC3T3-E1 protein-gelatin polyelectrolyte multilayers were constructed on the surface of the titanium implants by means of layer-by-layer self-assembly to enhance the strength of the bond between the bone tissue and the implant. The findings of the study indicate that the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique can enhance surface roughness and hydrophilicity to a considerable extent. Compared to pure titanium, the hydrophilicity of TiOH LBL was significantly increased with a water contact angle of 75.0 ± $$ \pm $$ 2.4°. The modified titanium implant exhibits superior biocompatibility and wound healing ability upon co-culture with cells. MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured with TiOH LBL for 1, 3, and 5 days and their viability was higher than 85%. In addition, the wound healing results demonstrate that TiOH LBL exhibited the highest migratory ability (243 ± 10 μm). Furthermore, after 7 days of osteogenic induction, the modified titanium implant significantly promotes osteoblast differentiation.

Keywords: MC3T3-E1 protein; biocompatibility; osseointegration; titanium implant.

MeSH terms

  • Gelatin / pharmacology
  • Osseointegration*
  • Osteogenesis
  • Polyelectrolytes
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium* / chemistry
  • Titanium* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Polyelectrolytes
  • Titanium
  • Gelatin