Behavior of endothelial cells in response to smooth titanium surfaces

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to observe the influence of titanium (Ti) surfaces with different degrees of smoothness on the cell proliferation, growth behavior and gene expression of angiogenesis related cytokines of endothelial cells (EC) , in order to evaluate the potential effects of Ti surface topography on revascularization during wound healing.

Methods:

Three kinds of commercially pure Ti surfaces were used in this study: acid-etched (A) surfaces, polished (P) surfaces and pickled (PT) surfaces. Tissue culture plates without specimens served as controls. The proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) grown on all surfaces was compared through determination of succinic dehydrogenase activity. Time-lapse microscopy was used to observe the dynamic behavior of HUVEC grown on the different Ti surfaces,.Gene expressions of cytokines (von Willebrand factor [vWF], thrombomodulin [TM], endothelial-cell-protein-C-receptor [EPCR], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 [E-selectin]) were compared by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

The proliferation of HUVECs on P and PT surfaces was enhanced compared to A surfaces. HUVECs cultured on different Ti and plastic control surfaces spread well and formed cells clusters after incubation for 48 h, as observed by time-lapse microscopy. Formations of cell clusters were slower on PT surfaces compared to P and A surfaces. Secretion of angiogenesis related (vWF, TM, EPCR) and inflammation related (ICAM-1, E-selectin) cytokines was enhanced in A compared to P and PT surfaces.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that smoother surfaces (P and PT) enhance proliferation and viability of ECs compared to a relative rougher surface (A), which upregulates the secretion of functional cytokines during the observation period.

Supported by ITI-Grant-423/2005