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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Investigation of the Relationship between Surface Features, Protein Adsorption, and Osteoimmunomodulation: The Case
J Barberi1,2, D Baruffaldi1,2, L Napione1,2
1Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin 10129, Italy.
Abstract:
This paper deals with the combined effects of immune response and osseointegration because of the lack of comprehensive studies on this topic. An antibacterial Ti surface was considered because of the high risk of infection for titanium bone implants. A chemically treated Ti6Al4 V alloy [Ti64(Sr-Ag)] with a microporous and Sr-Ag doped surface was compared to a polished version (Ti64) regarding protein adsorption (albumin and fibronectin) and osteoimmunomodulation. Characterization via fluorescence microscopy and zeta potential showed a continuous fibronectin layer on Ti64(Sr-Ag), even with preadsorbed albumin, while it remained filamentous on Ti64. Macrophages (differentiated from THP-1 monocytes) were cultured on both surfaces, with viability and cytokine release analyzed. Differently from Ti64, Ti64(Sr-Ag) promoted early anti-inflammatory responses and significant downregulation of VEGF. Ti64(Sr-Ag) also enhanced human bone marrow mesenchymal cell differentiation toward osteoblasts, when a macrophage-conditioned medium was used, influencing ALP production. Surface properties in relation to protein adsorption and osteoimmunomodulation were discussed.
