Initial attachment of human oral keratinocytes cultured on zirconia or titanium

Initial attachment of human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) cultured on mirror-surfaced commercially pure titanium (Ti) or yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) was investigated. Numbers of viable attached HOKs, their mRNAs and proteins expression of laminin γ2 and integrin β4 were evaluated using the WST-1 assay, quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Localization of laminin γ2 and integrin β4 was observed using immunofluorescent staining. Cell spreading was evaluated by measuring the perimeter of actin on fluorescent stained images, and cell morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. At 1 h TZP elicited less of initial attachment than Ti in terms of mRNAs expression and proteins expression of laminin γ2 and integrin β4 (p<0.05). However, at 48 h TZP was showed similar initial attachment in comparison to Ti. Therefore, it was suggested that TZP has a potential to form epithelial attachment like Ti.