Adhesion and activation of platelets and polymorphonuclear granulocyte cells at TiO2 surfaces

The initial reactions of two TiO2 surfaces with blood were investigated by short-time exposure to capillary blood and analysis of surface-adsorbed plasma proteins and surface-adhering cells by using immunofluorescence techniques. Antibodies directed against platelet membrane antigen and P-selectin were used to visualize platelet adhesion and activation. Acridine orange and anti-CD11b were used to detect adhesion and activation of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs). Antibodies against thrombospondin were used as markers for platelet alpha-granules. The fluorescence intensity was quantitated by computer-aided image analysis. Commercially pure, polished sheet titanium was oxidized in two different ways: (1) the natural oxide was dissolved with hydrofluoric acid and a new oxide layer was grown by oxidation in nitric acid, or (2) annealing was performed at 700 degrees C in air. Auger electron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that both surfaces had similar composition consisting of TiO2 covered by a carbonaceous surface contamination layer. The thickness of the oxide layer was 4 nm on the acid-oxidized surface and 39 nm on the annealed surface. Optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy showed that the acid-oxidized surface was rough and the annealed surface was smooth. The fibrinogen/prothrombin-thrombin ratio in the initial protein film differed between the surfaces. The number of adhering platelets was larger at the surface with a high surface concentration of adsorbed fibrinogen. Platelet activation (CD62) and priming of PMNs (CD 11b) were also significantly higher on the acid-oxidized surface. The results indicate that non-self recognition of biomaterials is an array of transient reactions comprising protein-material, protein-cell, and cell-cell interactions.