Cell interaction with modified nanotubes formed on titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V.

Nanotubes with diameters ranging from 40 to 60nm were prepared by electrochemical oxidation of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy in electrolyte containing ammonium sulphate and ammonium fluoride. The nanotubes were further modified with calcium and phosphate ions or were heat treated. Polished Ti-6Al-4V alloy served as a reference sample. The spreading of human osteoblast-like cells was similar on all nanotube samples but lower than on polished samples. The number of initially adhered cells was higher on non-modified nanotubes, but the final cell number was the highest on Ca-enriched nanotubes and the lowest on heat-treated nanotubes. However, these differences were relatively small and less pronounced than the differences in the concentration of specific molecular markers of cell adhesion and differentiation, estimated by their intensity of immunofluorescence staining. The concentration of vinculin, i.e. a protein of focal adhesion plaques, was the lowest on nanotubes modified with calcium. Collagen I, an early marker of osteogenic cell differentiation, was also the lowest on samples modified with calcium and was highest on polished samples. Alkaline phosphatase, a middle marker of osteogenic differentiation, was observed in lowest concentration on nanotubes modified with phosphorus and the highest on heat-treated samples. Osteocalcin concentrations, a late marker of osteogenic cell differentiation, were similar on all tested samples, although they tended to be the highest on heat-treated samples. Thus, osteogenic differentiation can be modulated by various additional treatments of nanotube coatings on Ti-6Al-4V implants.

The diameter of nanotubes formed on Ti-6Al-4V alloy controls the adhesion and differentiation of Saos-2 cells.

Ti-6Al-4V-based nanotubes were prepared on a Ti-6Al-4V surface by anodic oxidation on 10 V, 20 V, and 30 V samples. The 10 V, 20 V, and 30 V samples and a control smooth Ti-6Al-4V sample were evaluated in terms of their chemical composition, diameter distribution, and cellular response. The surfaces of the 10 V, 20 V, and 30 V samples consisted of nanotubes of a relatively wide range of diameters that increased with the voltage. Saos-2 cells had a similar initial adhesion on all nanotube samples to the control Ti-6Al-4V sample, but it was lower than on glass. On day 3, the highest concentrations of both vinculin and talin measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and intensity of immunofluorescence staining were on 30 V nanotubes. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of ALP, type I collagen, and osteopontin were found on 10 V and 20 V samples. The final cellular densities on 10 V, 20 V, and 30 V samples were higher than on glass. Therefore, the controlled anodization of Ti-6Al-4V seems to be a useful tool for preparing nanostructured materials with desirable biological properties.