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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Mitigation of Blood Borne Cell Attachment to Metal Implants through CD47-Derived Peptide Immobilization
Published on: December 3, 2020
Different activation of monocyte-derived macrophages by antimicrobial peptides at a titanium tibial implantation in
Joanna Wessely-Szponder1, Tomasz Szponder2, Ryszard Bobowiec1
1Department of Pathophysiology, Chair of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Poland.
Abstract:
The aim of our study was to assess the functional and morphological features of monocyte derived Mfs from rabbits with titanium (Ti) tibial implants, their ability to polarize towards M1 or M2 and their reactivity after stimulation with neutrophil antimicrobial peptides extract (AMP). The study was conducted on six White New Zealand rabbits with tibial implants of pure titanium Grade 2. Blood was taken before implantation and 14days after biomaterial implantation. Then, blood-derived Mfs were cultured and their function was assessed on the basis of morphological changes, generation of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, and proteases release after treatment with LPS or dexamethasone (Dex). As a result of polarization we specified two subpopulations of Mfs with features characteristic of each subtype. M1 stimulated with LPS exhibited an increased NO and superoxide level, and M2 stimulated with Dex which showed higher arginase and lower free radical generation. Addition of AMP evoked further changes in Mfs morphology and function. After 24h stimulation with AMP an increase of NO was observed in all cultures, whereas after 48h it decreased. Production of superoxide lowered, especially after 48h, when M1 generated 6.00±0.2nM and M1/AMP culture generated 5.2±0.1nM of superoxide. Our study revealed that activated Mfs stimulated with AMP demonstrated both pro- and anti-inflammatory features. Moreover, we did not detect significant differences between the response of Mfs cultured from blood derived monocytes before and after implantation of Ti implants.
Insights
Titanium implants did not alter rabbit monocyte-derived macrophages (Mfs) function. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) induced both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in Mfs, indicating complex immune interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monocyte-derived macrophages (Mfs) play critical roles in immune responses to biomaterials.
- Titanium (Ti) implants are widely used in orthopedic surgery.
- Understanding Mfs' response to Ti implants and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is crucial for clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate functional and morphological characteristics of Mfs from rabbits with Ti tibial implants.
- To assess Mfs' polarization towards M1 or M2 subtypes.
- To investigate Mfs' reactivity to AMPs.
Main Methods:
- Cultured Mfs from White New Zealand rabbits before and after Ti Grade 2 implantation.
- Assessed Mf function via morphology, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, and protease release.
- Stimulated Mfs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for M1, dexamethasone (Dex) for M2, and AMP extract.
- Analyzed Mf polarization and reactivity post-stimulation.
Main Results:
- Mfs polarized into M1 (LPS-stimulated: increased NO, superoxide) and M2 (Dex-stimulated: increased arginase) subtypes.
- AMP stimulation altered Mf morphology and function, with transient NO increase and subsequent decrease.
- Superoxide production decreased after 48h AMP exposure.
- No significant differences in Mf response were observed before and after Ti implant placement.
Conclusions:
- Activated Mfs stimulated with AMP exhibit both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Ti tibial implants did not significantly alter the functional response of Mfs.
- Mfs demonstrate adaptable polarization and reactivity crucial for managing implant-associated environments.

