Chemical modification of pure titanium surfaces to enhance the cytocompatibility and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of this study was to improve the cytocompatibility and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the surface of titanium implants by immobilizing biofunctional molecules on their surface. Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) peptides, human plasma fibronectin (pFN), or type I collagen from calf skin (Col) was covalently immobilized on the titanium surfaces. Twice as many cells attached to the Col- and pFN-immobilized titanium surfaces than attached to the as-polished surface control. The ALP activity of the cells, as well as the mineralized nodule formation, was significantly higher on the Col- and pFN-immobilized titanium surfaces than on the as-polished surfaces. These results indicate that the immobilization of biofunctional molecules such as Col and pFN on titanium surfaces enhances the attachment, spreading, proliferation, and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which may lead to a more rapid bone-titanium integration.