Effects of titanium surfaces on the developmental profile of monocytes/macrophages

Due to the critical role of monocytes/macrophages (Mϕ) in bone healing, this study evaluated the effects of bio-anodized, acid-etched, and machined titanium surfaces (Ti) on Mϕ behavior. Cells were separated from whole human blood from 10 patients, plated on Ti or polystyrene (control) surfaces, and cultured for 72 h. At 24, 48 and 72 h, cell viability, levels of IL1β, IL10, TNFα, TGFβ1 inflammatory mediators, and nitric oxide (NO) release were analyzed by mitochondrial colorimetric assay (MTT assay) and immunoenzymatic assays, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to verify the expression of TNFα and IL10 at 72 h. The data were subjected to a Kruskal-Wallis analysis. IL1β, TNFα and TGFβ1 release were not significantly different between the Ti surfaces (p>0.05). The presence of NO and IL10 was not detected in the samples. Cell viability did not differ between the samples cultivated on Ti and those cultivated on control surfaces, except at 24 h (p=0.0033). With respect to the mediators evaluated, the surface characteristics did not induce a typical Th1 or Th2 cytokine profile, although the cell morphology and topography were influenced by the Ti surface during the initial period.