Due to its excellent mechanical and low‐friction properties, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been widely investigated for use in orthopedic applications over the past decade. However, the bioinertness and poor osteogenic properties of PEEK have hampered its clinical application. In this study, the surface of PEEK was modified by co‐treatment with hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid (AFN). The microstructures of the modified PEEK surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The water contact angles of the surfaces were also measured. To evaluate their cytocompatibility, PEEK samples were used as substrates to culture rat bone mesenchymal stem cells, and cell adhesion, viability, and expression of specific marker genes were measured. Treatment of PEEK with AFN (PEEK‐AFN) was found to enable better osteoblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation; the activity of alkaline phosphatase (an early osteogenic differentiation marker) was also found to be enhanced post‐treatment. Furthermore, PEEK‐AFN was able to modulate macrophage polarization and down regulated the expression of proinflammatory factors via inhibiting the NF‐κB pathway. Thus, treatment of PEEK with AFN could promote M2 polarization of the macrophages and stimulate the differentiation of osteoblasts. These results provide valuable information that could facilitate the use of PEEK‐based composites as bone implant materials.

中文翻译：

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氢氟酸和硝酸共处理用于聚醚醚酮在 M2 巨噬细胞极化和成骨中的生物功能化

由于其优异的机械性能和低摩擦性能，聚醚醚酮 (PEEK) 在过去十年中已被广泛研究用于骨科应用。然而，PEEK的生物惰性和较差的成骨特性阻碍了其临床应用。在这项研究中，通过与氢氟酸和硝酸 (AFN) 共处理对 PEEK 的表面进行了改性。使用扫描电子显微镜研究改性 PEEK 表面的微观结构。还测量了表面的水接触角。为了评估它们的细胞相容性，使用 PEEK 样品作为基质培养大鼠骨间充质干细胞，并测量细胞粘附、活力和特定标记基因的表达。发现用 AFN (PEEK-AFN) 处理 PEEK 能够更好地粘附、扩散、和扩散；碱性磷酸酶（一种早期成骨分化标志物）的活性也被发现在治疗后增强。此外，PEEK-AFN 能够通过抑制 NF-κB 通路调节巨噬细胞极化并下调促炎因子的表达。因此，用AFN处理PEEK可以促进巨噬细胞的M2极化并刺激成骨细胞的分化。这些结果提供了有价值的信息，可以促进基于 PEEK 的复合材料作为骨植入材料的使用。PEEK-AFN 能够通过抑制 NF-κB 通路来调节巨噬细胞极化并下调促炎因子的表达。因此，用AFN处理PEEK可以促进巨噬细胞的M2极化并刺激成骨细胞的分化。这些结果提供了有价值的信息，可以促进基于 PEEK 的复合材料作为骨植入材料的使用。PEEK-AFN 能够通过抑制 NF-κB 通路来调节巨噬细胞极化并下调促炎因子的表达。因此，用AFN处理PEEK可以促进巨噬细胞的M2极化并刺激成骨细胞的分化。这些结果提供了有价值的信息，可以促进基于 PEEK 的复合材料作为骨植入材料的使用。