title: In vitro bio-functional performances of the novel superelastic beta-type Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy.
abstract: The materials used for internal fracture fixations and joint replacements are mainly made of metals which still face problems ranging from higher rigidity than that of natural bone to leaching cytotoxic metallic ions. Beta (β)-type titanium alloys with low elastic modulus made from non-toxic and non-allergenic elements are desirable to reduce stress shielding effect and enhance bone remodeling. In this work, a new β-type Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy with a Young's modulus of approximately 50 GPa was designed and characterized. The behavior of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts on the new alloy, including adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, was evaluated by examining the cytoskeleton, focal adhesion formation, metabolic activity and extracellular matrix mineralization. Results indicated that the pre-osteoblast cells exhibited a similar degree of attachment and growth on Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N and Ti-6Al-4V. However, the novel alloy proved to be significantly more efficient in sustaining mineralized matrix deposition upon osteogenic induction of the cells than Ti-6Al-4V control. Further, the analysis of RAW 264.7 macrophages cytokine gene and protein expression indicated no significant inflammatory response. Collectively, these findings suggest that the Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy, which has an increased mechanical biocompatibility with bone, allows a better osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells than Ti-6Al-4V and holds great potential for future clinical prosthetic applications.
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Raluca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ion
authors.affiliation: INSA Rennes, UMR CNRS 6226 SCR/Chimie-Métallurgie, 20 avenue des Buttes de Coësmes, F-35043 Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Doina-Margareta
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gordin
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mitran
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Petre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Osiceanu
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Sorina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinescu
authors.affiliation: INSA Rennes, UMR CNRS 6226 SCR/Chimie-Métallurgie, 20 avenue des Buttes de Coësmes, F-35043 Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gloriant
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095, Bucharest, Romania. Electronic address: anisoara.cimpean@bio.unibuc.ro.
authors.forename: Anisoara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cimpean
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000497:Alloys / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Beta-titanium alloy; Differentiation; Inflammatory response; Macrophage; Osteoblast