Molecular Response to Nanopatterned Implants in the Human Jaw Bone

Implant surface modification by nanopatterning is an interesting route for enhancing osseointegration in humans. Herein, the molecular response to an intentional, controlled nanotopography pattern superimposed on screw-shaped titanium implants is investigated in human bone. When clinical implants are installed, additional two mini-implants, one with a machined surface (M) and one with a machined surface superimposed with a hemispherical nanopattern (MN), are installed in the posterior maxilla. In the second-stage surgery, after 6-8 weeks, the mini-implants are retrieved by unscrewing, and the implant-adherent cells are subjected to gene expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Compared to those adherent to the machined (M) implants, the cells adherent to the nanopatterned (MN) implants demonstrate significant upregulation (1.8- to 2-fold) of bone-related genes (RUNX2, ALP, and OC). No significant differences are observed in the expression of the analyzed inflammatory and remodeling genes. Correlation analysis reveals that older patient age is associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and MCP-1) on the machined implants and decreased expression of pro-osteogenic factor (BMP-2) on the nanopatterned implants. Controlled nanotopography, in the form of hemispherical 60 nm protrusions, promotes gene expressions related to early osteogenic differentiation and osteoblastic activity in implant-adherent cells in the human jaw bone.