An in vitro bioinspired approach to enhance the bioactivity of titanium implants via electrophoretic deposition and biomimetic mineralization of type i collagen.

Objective: This study aims to explore the efficacy of Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) for collagen type I coating on titanium implants and its subsequent mineralization to improve osseointegration and bone regeneration.
Methods: Titanium disks were prepared with a sandblasted, large grit and acid-etched (SLA) surface. EPD was employed to deposit collagen type I onto the titanium surfaces, followed by two modes of mineralization: extra-fibril mineralization (EFM) and inter-fibril mineralization (IFM). Then comprehensive in vitro studies were conducted including surface properties, cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and inflammatory responses.
Results: EPD successfully deposited a uniform collagen layer on titanium surfaces. EFM resulted in deposition of larger, irregularly shaped crystals, while IFM produced controlled, helical fibril mineralization. IFM-treated surfaces exhibited enhanced cell viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. Both EFM and IFM surfaces triggered higher macrophage activation than SLA surfaces. While EFM primarily induced a stronger M1 pro-inflammatory response, IFM exhibited a more balanced macrophage polarization with upregulated M2 markers at later stages.
Conclusion: EPD, particularly when integrated with IFM, significantly enhances the bioactivity and osteogenic potential of collagen-coated titanium implants. This method surpasses traditional SLA surfaces by stabilizing the collagen layer and creating a biomimetic environment conducive to bone regeneration and healing through a balanced inflammatory response, offering a promising strategy to improve titanium implant performance.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.
(Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)