Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells
Published on: September 28, 2020
Alumina-zirconia composites functionalized with laminin-1 and laminin-5 for dentistry: effect of protein adsorption
A Vallée1, M G Faga2, F Mussano3
1Chemistry Department and NIS Excellence Centre, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy.
Abstract:
The present paper describes a study on laminin interaction with the surface of two alumina-zirconia composites with different percentages of ZrO2, both with submicrometric grain size. As major molecules within the basement membrane (BM), laminins are important protein fragments for epithelial cell adhesion and migration. On the other hand, alumina-zirconia composites are very attractive materials for dental applications due to their esthetic and mechanical properties. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to study the adsorption of two types of laminin, laminin-1 (Ln-1) and laminin-5 (Ln-5), onto the ceramics surfaces. The in vitro cell response was determined by intracellular phosphorylation of major kinases. Ceramics samples functionalized with laminins showed better cellular activation than untreated specimens; furthermore, cellular activation was found to be greater for the composite with higher percentage in zirconia when functionalized with Ln-5, whereas the adsorption of Ln-1 resulted in a greater activation for the alumina-rich oxide.
