CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL EVENTS AT THE IMPLANT INTERFACE

Since implants attain and maintain contact with the body environment through their surfaces, the interfacial interaction between implant bed and implant surface could be a determinant of the implant's performance. This study used osteoblasts to test the ability of different ceramic and metallic surfaces to bind fibronectin and to support cell attachment, adhesion, migration and synthesis of extracellular matrix. The results showed active molecular and cellular interaction between the cells and the surfaces. Extracellular matrix synthesis was demonstrated on surfaces that did not subject the cells to toxicity embarrassment. It is concluded that the surfaces of implants should not be designed to be mere bystanders in the interfacial scenario. Instead they should be conceived with a view to enabling them to interact positively with the molecules responsible for would healing, interfacial tissue morphogenesis and repair.