Inflammatory response to a titanium surface with potential bioactive properties: an in vitro study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces
Published on: November 21, 2025
Anna Göransson1, Christina Gretzer, Anna Johansson
1Department of Biomaterial Science, Institute of Surgical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden. anna.goransson@biomaterials.gu.se
Background:
The current hard tissue implants research aims to accelerate bone healing by designing surfaces that are bioactive. However, the role of the inflammatory response to these surfaces is so far incompletely described.
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to evaluate early inflammatory response in vitro to a potentially bioactive surface--an anodized surface with Mg ions incorporated (anodized/Mg)--and to compare it to a turned, a blasted, and an anodized surface.
Materials And Methods:
An interferometer was used for topographical characterizations. The disks were incubated with human mononuclear cells. Adherent cells were investigated with respect to number of cells, viability, differentiation, and cytokine production with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation after 24 and 72 hours.
Results:
The number of adhered mononuclear cells differed significantly between the different modified surfaces, with the highest number on the anodized surface. However, there were no significant differences in cytokine production and differentiation between the different modified surfaces. The amount of anti-inflammatory mediator interleukin-10 remained over time, while the number of cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha decreased. The cells were viable on all surfaces, respectively.
Conclusion:
The anodized surfaces with and without Mg ions showed an increased cell adherence, however, otherwise an inflammatory response similar to the turned and blasted surfaces. Furthermore, the potentially bioactive anodized/Mg surface showed a similar response to the TiUnite-like anodized surface despite the former having a surface roughness of a smoother character.
