Cytocompatibility of Cu-bearing Ti6Al4V alloys manufactured by selective laser melting

An effective strategy to endow biomaterials with antibacterial ability without compromising the cell biocompatibility is highly desirable to combat biomaterial related infection. In this study, a series of copper-bearing Ti6Al4V alloys with antibacterial activity were successfully manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) with mixed powders of Ti6Al4V and Cu. In order to systematically investigate the effect of Cu content on the cell biocompatibility, experiments including immersion tests, cell morphology, cell skeleton, CCK-8 assessment, AKP activity and osteogenic induction were conducted with comparison to SLM Cu-free Ti6Al4V alloy. The immersion test showed a few ions released far from intoxication. The SEM and fluorescent staining observation revealed good cell morphology and spread of MG-63 (human osteosarcoma) and C2C12 (mouse myoblast) on SLM copper-bearing Ti6Al4V alloys. The CCK-8 and AKP activity assessments showed that Cu content up to 6 wt% in SLM Ti6Al4V alloys did not exert any deleterious influence on cell viability. Besides, the extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization of MG-63 cells on SLM copper-bearing Ti6Al4V alloys indicated that 6 wt% Cu addition promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. All results indicated that SLM copper-bearing Ti6Al4V alloys even with 6 wt% Cu content exhibited good cytocompatibility.