Influence of Micro-Nanostructured Anatase-Coated SLA Titanium on Macrophage Behavior

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Immunology
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Osseointegration of titanium dental implants depends on surface properties and immune responses.
• Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surfaces are clinically successful, but macrophage interactions are not fully understood.
• Anatase nanostructures modulate macrophages on smooth titanium, but their effect on SLA surfaces is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of micro-nanostructured anatase coatings on SLA titanium.
• To assess macrophage polarization (M1/M2) and inflammatory responses on different titanium surface topographies.
• To determine the safety and inflammatory potential of anatase-coated SLA titanium for dental implants.

Main Methods:

• Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) were cultured and polarized on Ti-machined, Ti-SLA, Ti-SLA-anatase, and control surfaces.
• Macrophage behavior was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, confocal microscopy, SEM, ELISA, and qRT-PCR.
• Analysis included cell viability, M1/M2 marker expression, cytokine secretion, and gene expression.

Main Results:

• All tested surfaces exhibited excellent cytocompatibility with similar macrophage viability.
• M1 macrophages upregulated CCR7 and TNF-α, while M2 macrophages expressed CD209 and CCL13 across all surfaces.
• Ti-SLA-anatase surfaces did not significantly alter M1/M2 markers, cytokine secretion, or gene expression, and did not increase inflammation.

Conclusions:

• Micro-nanostructured anatase coatings on SLA titanium are immunologically well-tolerated by macrophages.
• These coatings do not exacerbate inflammatory responses at the implant-tissue interface.
• Combined with enhanced osteogenic properties, anatase-coated SLA surfaces show promising clinical potential for dental implants.