Biocompatibility of an antibacterial nanosilver-coated titanium implant on primary human mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts

Abstract

Titanium-based implant materials are widely used in surgery and orthopedics. But implant-related infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria have become a serious problem in the last decades. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce implant materials which have the capacity to avoid infections related to multiresistant bacteria. In the present study we evaluated the in vitro biocompatibility of an antibacterial nanosilver-coated titanium alloy on primary human mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts. Our results demonstrate that the nanosilver-coated titanium alloy did not display any impairment of cell viability and proliferation after 21 days. Furthermore, the testing material did not induce cell stress. Instead there was a significant stimulation in osteogenic differentiation after 7 days. Microscopic observation revealed good cell adhesion and no morphological alterations of the cells incubated on the nanosilver-coated titanium alloy. In conclusion, the tested antibacterial implant material revealed excellent biocompatibility in vitro. Therefore, this nanosilver-functionalized titanium implant displays a promising osteosynthesis material for surgical and orthopedic applications, which has the capacity to reduce the incidence of implant-related infections.