The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological efficacy of a unique perpendicular protrusion of type-I collagen (Col-I) from TiO₂ nanotubes (NT-EPF surface). We hypothesized that the NT-EPF surface would play bifunctional roles in stimulating platelet-mediated fibroblast recruitment and anchoring fibroblast-derived Col-I to form a perpendicular collagen assembly, mimicking the connective tissue attachment around natural teeth for the long-term maintenance of dental implants. Ti surface modification was accomplished in two steps. First, TiO₂ nanotubes (NT) array was fabricated via anodization. Diameters and depths of NTs were controlled by applied voltage and duration. Subsequently, an electrophoretic fusion (EPF) method was applied to fuse Col-I into nanotube arrays in a perpendicular fashion. Surface wettability was assessed by contact angle measurement. The bioactivity of modified TiO₂ surfaces was evaluated in terms of NIH3T3 fibroblast attachment, platelet activation, and collagen extension. Early attachment, aggregation, and activation of platelets as well as release of platelet-related growth factors were demonstrated on NT-EPF surfaces. Platelet-mediated NIH3T3 cells migration toward NT-EPF was significantly increased and the attached cells showed a typical fibrous morphology with elongated spindle shape. A direct linkage between pseudopod-like processes of fibroblasts to NT-EPF surfaces was observed. Furthermore, the engineered EPF collagen protrusion linked with cell-derived collagen in a perpendicular fashion. Within the limitation of this in vitro study, the TiO₂ nanotube with perpendicular Col-I surface (NT-EPF) promoted better cell attachment, induced a strong platelet activation which suggested the ability to create a more robust soft tissue seal.

本研究的目的是评估 TiO ₂纳米管（NT-EPF 表面）独特的 I 型胶原蛋白 (Col-I) 垂直突出的生物功效。我们假设 NT-EPF 表面将发挥双重功能，刺激血小板介导的成纤维细胞募集和锚定成纤维细胞衍生的 Col-I 以形成垂直的胶原蛋白组装，模仿天然牙齿周围的结缔组织附着，以长期维持牙齿的健康。植入物。 Ti表面改性分两步完成。首先，通过阳极氧化制备TiO ₂纳米管(NT)阵列。 NT 的直径和深度由施加的电压和持续时间控制。随后，采用电泳融合（EPF）方法将Col-I以垂直方式融合成纳米管阵列。通过接触角测量来评估表面润湿性。改性TiO ₂表面的生物活性根据NIH3T3成纤维细胞附着、血小板活化和胶原延伸进行评估。 NT-EPF 表面证实了血小板的早期附着、聚集和激活以及血小板相关生长因子的释放。血小板介导的NIH3T3细胞向NT-EPF的迁移显着增加，贴壁细胞呈现典型的纤维状形态，具有拉长的纺锤形。观察到成纤维细胞的伪足样过程与 NT-EPF 表面之间的直接联系。此外，工程化的 EPF 胶原蛋白突出物以垂直方式与细胞来源的胶原蛋白连接。 在该体外研究的限制内，具有垂直Col-I表面的TiO ₂纳米管(NT-EPF)促进了更好的细胞附着，诱导了强烈的血小板活化，这表明能够创建更坚固的软组织密封。