Surface modification and its effect on attachment, spreading, and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts

The purpose of this study was to exploit potential methods of surface modification for improving the seal between the neck portion of a dental implant and the surrounding soft tissue.

Titanium surfaces were modified by machining (SM-Ti group); machining and acid etching (AE-Ti group); or machining, acid etching, and depositing 4.5 collagen/hyaluronic acid (col/HA) polyelectrolyte bilayers (CHC-Ti group). These were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, scanning force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, and quartz crystal microbalance measurement. The degradation behavior of the col/HA multilayer coating was measured. Next, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were cultured on the different surfaces, and cell morphology and spreading were observed using fluorescence microscopy and a shape factor measurement. Cell proliferation was examined by fluorometric quantification of the amount of cellular DNA. Matrix formation of HGFs was determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression was analyzed via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Similar surface topology for these three groups was observable on a microscopic scale, and morphologic differences were apparent on the nanoscale. Both acid etching and col/HA deposition improved the hydrophilicity of the titanium surface, in contrast to machining alone. Each col/HA bilayer was about 5 nm thick. The col/HA coating degraded in about a week. Attachment and spreading of HGFs was better on the CHC-Ti surface than on the SM-Ti or AE-Ti surfaces. Moreover, the proliferation and differentiation of HGFs were greatly stimulated when cultured on CHC-Ti.

In contrast to two control surfaces (one machined, one machined and acid-etched), col/HA treatment of Ti improved the attachment, spreading, proliferation, and differentiation of HGFs.