Cyclic mechanical strain alters tissue-factor activity in rat osteosarcoma cells cultured on a titanium substrate

Tissue factor (TF), a transmembrane glycoprotein, plays a role in the initiation of blood coagulation at sites of vascular injury. Activated products of coagulation may then enhance inflammatory responses. The present investigation assesses the ability of rat osteosarcoma (UMR-106) cells cultured on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) to express differential surface TF activity in response to cyclic mechanical strain. Strains ranged from -2000 micro-strain to +2000 micro-strain, and durations from 5, 10, and 20 min per day over 5 days to 24 h continuous stimulation. ROS cells exhibited significant TF activity as demonstrated by the conversion of Factor X to Factor Xa. Strains of +2000 micro-strain with 5-20-min duration exhibited decreased TF activity with duration from 1.4E-04 nM/cell to 8.7E-05 nM/cell. Additionally, ROS cells stimulated with calcium ionophore (A23187) exhibited at least twice the activity of nonstimulated cells. Strains of +1340 micro-strain with 5-20-min duration exhibited an increasing trend with 4.15E-05 nM/cell to 7.38E-05 nM/cell. Strain direction had no significant effect on TF activity. Thus, both mechanical and chemical stimuli induce differential expression of TF activity by ROS cells cultured on Ti6Al4V, a phenomenon that may potentiate or regulate the inflammatory responses associated with the implantation of orthopedic biomaterials.