Divalent cations like Mn(2+) are known to strongly influence the integrin affinity to ligands and - in consequence - cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. Therefore, divalent cation supplementation of biomaterials could be a promising approach to improve the ingrowth and the integration of implants. We were interested, whether manganese ions affect cellular functions like spreading, proliferation as well as gene expression in human osteoblasts.
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