Search

The immunomodulatory role of monocytes is essential for tissue healing and can influence the osseointegration of implanted materials. Properties such as the surface structure, hydrophilicity, and roughness of the implanted materials can modulate monocyte–macrophage function. In this study, we characterized material-hydrogenated TiO2 nanotubes (H-TNT) with superhydrophilic surfaces to investigate the effect of H-TNT on macrophage polarization and osseointegration. H-TNT were prepared by anodic oxidation and hydrogenation and used in the experimental group, while TNT and smooth pure Ti were employed in the control groups. RAW264.7 cells were selected to observe the immunomodulatory effect of these samples. The cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy, and cytokine expression was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining. After 24 hr of cultivation, the macrophage-conditioned medium was collected and used for indirect coculture with MC3T3-E1 cells. The morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells was observed using fluorescence staining. Cell adhesion and proliferation were measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Alkaline phosphatase activity measurement, alizarin red staining, calcium quantification, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. The results showed that H-TNT promoted the M2-type polarization of macrophages, which in turn influenced the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. These materials can serve as useful candidates for bone implants because they activate macrophages to produce a favorable osteoimmunomodulatory microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Superhydrophilic nanostructure was fabricated for improving soft tissue sealing. • The properties of the surface regulate the behavior of human gingival fibroblasts. • FAK/integrin-mediated adhesion seemed to be induced by the hydrogenated surface. Soft tissue integration is critical for the long-term retention of dental implants. The surface properties including topography and wettability can impact soft tissue sealing. In our work, a thermal hydrogenation technique was applied to modify anodized titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs). However, the effects of the hydrogenated surface on soft-tissue cells remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the bioactivities of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) on structured surfaces, which determine the early formation of soft tissue sealing. Three groups were examined: commercially pure titanium (Ti), anodized TNTs (air-TNTs) and hydrogenated TNTs (H 2 -TNTs). Scanning electron microscopy showed the nanotubular topography on the titanium surfaces after anodization. Then, hydrogenation ensured that the H 2 -TNTs were superhydrophilic with a contact angle of 3.5 ± 0.8°. In vitro studies such as cell adhesion assays, cell morphology, immunocytochemistry, wound healing assays, real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays displayed enhanced adhesion, migration, relative gene expression levels, and extracellular matrix synthesis of the HGFs on H 2 -TNTs. Interestingly, focal adhesion kinase activation and integrin-mediated adhesion seemed to be induced by the H 2 -TNT surface. Our results revealed that a superhydrophilic nanostructure modified by anodization and hydrogenation can improve the bioactivity of HGFs and connective tissue regeneration, which will further promote and expand the application of titanium dioxide nanotubes in dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]