Drug delivery from hydroxyapatite-coated titanium surfaces using biodegradable particle carriers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Developing functional titanium implants is crucial for dental applications.
• Biodegradable polymeric particles offer potential as drug delivery carriers for bioactive molecules.
• Enhancing osseointegration and bone regeneration around implants remains a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a functional titanium implant loaded with bioactive molecules using biodegradable polymeric particles.
• To investigate the immobilization and release of dexamethasone (DEX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles on hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium (Ti) surfaces.
• To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the developed implant in promoting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) differentiation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of titanium discs: RBM Ti (S1), HA-Ti (S2), and HA-Ti with DEX-loaded PLGA particles (S3).
• Electrostatic immobilization of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated PLGA particles onto HA-Ti surfaces using a low temperature high speed collision (LTHSC) method.
• In vitro release studies of DEX and BMSC culture experiments to assess cell differentiation.

Main Results:

• DEX-loaded PLGA particles were successfully immobilized onto HA-Ti surfaces (S3).
• A 4-week immersion study showed an initial burst release followed by sustained DEX release from S3 discs.
• S3 discs significantly enhanced BMSC differentiation compared to S1 and S2 discs in vitro.

Conclusions:

• The developed functional titanium implant effectively delivers bioactive molecules, promoting BMSC differentiation.
• This innovative drug delivery platform shows promise for stem cell therapy and enhancing in vivo osteogenesis.
• Biodegradable polymeric particles are efficient for incorporating various bone regeneration-promoting molecules onto HA-Ti surfaces.