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Published on: December 8, 2015
Increased osteoblast adhesion on nanograined Ti modified with KRSR
Ganesan Balasundaram1, Thomas J Webster
1Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|October 13, 2006
Summary
Nanophase titanium surfaces enhance osteoblast adhesion, with KRSR peptide functionalization further improving bone cell attachment for orthopedic applications. Both modified and unmodified nanophase titanium show promise for bone growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lysine-arginine-serine-arginine (KRSR) peptides bind osteoblast proteoglycans, showing potential for orthopedic applications.
- Nanophase materials (grain size < 100 nm) promote new bone growth more effectively than conventional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionalize both nanophase and conventional titanium (Ti) surfaces with KRSR peptides.
- To investigate the in vitro osteoblast cell adhesive properties of these functionalized Ti surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Surface characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.
- In vitro assessment of osteoblast adhesion on functionalized and non-functionalized Ti surfaces.
Main Results:
- Osteoblast adhesion was significantly higher on nanophase Ti compared to conventional Ti, irrespective of KRSR functionalization.
- KRSR peptide immobilization increased osteoblast adhesion on both nanophase and conventional Ti compared to non-functionalized surfaces.
- Non-functionalized nanophase Ti exhibited greater osteoblast adhesion than KRSR-functionalized conventional Ti.
Conclusions:
- Non-functionalized nanophase Ti warrants further investigation for orthopedic applications.
- Nanophase Ti functionalized with KRSR peptides also shows significant potential for enhancing orthopedic implant performance.

