The Research of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation on Tantalum Coating Decorated Using Alkali- and Heat-Treatment

In this study, osteoinductivity was investigated for different surface treatments (alkali- and heat-treated tantalum coating after plasma spray coating, tantalum coating after plasma spray coating and no treatment) of titanium disks. Each condition was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, the contact angle and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption of bovine serum albumin and fibronectin was detected, and the adhesion of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was observed via fluorescence microscopy. The proliferation of the BMSCs, as well as the osteogenic differentiation potential on the different specimens, was examined quantitatively by MTS and real-time PCR. The alkali- and heat-treatment increased the adsorption of protein to the tantalum coating and promoted the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of BMSCs, as well as the mRNA expression of osteogenic genes such as those coding for ALP, Collagen-I, Osteocalcin and Runx2 on the tantalum coating. This study suggests that the alkali- and heat-treated tantalum coating can improve biocompatibility and enhance osteoinductivity, which provides the theoretical foundation for the development of implant coatings.