Bone response of TGF-β2 immobilized titanium in a rat model

The present study aimed to immobilize TGF-β2 onto titanium implants by using a tresyl chloride-activation technique and to evaluate the bone response of TGF-β2 immobilized titanium (TGF-β2/Ti) implants in a rat femur defect model. XPS and FT-IR measurements identified the presence of TGF-β2 on titanium. Atomic force microscopy showed globular images of immobilized TGF-β2. The contact angle of TGF-β2/Ti against water significantly decreased compared with untreated titanium (Ti). There was no change of surface roughness after immobilization of TGF-β2. Ti and TGF-β2/Ti implants were inserted into rat femur defects. TGF-β2/Ti showed more bone formation by calcein labeling and histological observation. The measurements of bone to implant contact (BIC) and bone mass (BM) around the implants revealed that BIC and BM of TGF-β2/Ti implants were significantly higher than those of Ti at 4 weeks after the implantation. In conclusion, TGF-β2/Ti implant effectively enhances bone regeneration around implants.