Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
Hemocompatibility Testing of Blood-Contacting Implants in a Flow Loop Model Mimicking Human Blood Flow
Published on: March 5, 2020
In vitro proinflammatory gene expression changes in human whole blood after contact with plasma-treated implant
Merlind Becker1, Susanne Quabius2, Thorben Kewitz3
1Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany.
Background:
The aim of this in vitro study was to identify changes in gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human whole blood after contact with titanium implant surfaces after plasma treatment.
Materials And Methods:
Grade 4 titanium dental implants were conditioned with low-pressure plasma (LPP) and atmospheric-pressure plasma (APP) and submerged in human whole blood in vitro. Unconditioned implants and blood samples without implants served as control and negative control groups, respectively. Sampling was performed at 1, 8, and 24 h. Changes in mRNA expression levels of interleukin 1-beta (IL1-β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed using RT-qPCR.
Results:
In the control group, significant increases in IL1-β and TNF-α expression were observed. Significant decreases in the expression of IL1-β and TNF-α were identified in blood with implants after plasma treatment.
Conclusion:
Differences in gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines after incubation of plasma-conditioned titanium implants can be assessed using human whole blood. The results of the present study indicate that plasma treatment (APP and LPP) of titanium dental implants leads to downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression, which might be beneficial in early osseointegration.
Related Concept Videos
01:42What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
01:36What is Gene Expression?
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
01:24Composition of Blood Plasma
02:35Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...