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Published on: April 28, 2023
Immunomodulation of surface biofunctionalized 3D printed porous titanium implants.
F Razzi1, L E Fratila-Apachitei, N Fahy
1Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Additive manufacturing porous titanium implants with plasma electrolytic oxidation show potential for tissue regeneration. However, silver nanoparticles incorporated for infection prevention caused significant macrophage toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Orthopedic Implants
Background:
- Additive manufacturing (AM) enables tailored porous metallic biomaterials.
- Surface biofunctionalization can improve tissue regeneration and reduce implant-associated infections (IAIs).
- Immune responses to biofunctionalized AM implants require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of AM porous titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and its surface modifications.
- To assess the impact of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on immune cells.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility of these materials with human primary macrophages and mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs).
Main Methods:
- Selective laser melting (SLM) was used to fabricate porous Ti-6Al-4V implants.
- Surface biofunctionalization was achieved using PEO with and without AgNPs.
- Macrophage polarization, cell viability, and morphology were analyzed.
- Cytotoxicity assays were performed on hMSCs and macrophages.
Main Results:
- Non-treated AM titanium induced a mixed pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophage response.
- PEO treatment promoted a pro-repair macrophage phenotype.
- No cytotoxicity was observed for hMSCs with any treatment.
- AgNPs exhibited significant cytotoxicity towards macrophages.
Conclusions:
- AM porous titanium with PEO treatment demonstrates promising immunomodulatory potential for tissue repair.
- Caution and further research are necessary regarding the use of AgNPs in implants due to macrophage cytotoxicity.
- Surface modification strategies are crucial for optimizing the biological performance of AM biomaterials.
