Fibrochondrocyte Growth and Functionality on TiO₂ Nanothin Films.
Disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are a long-standing health concern. TMJ disorders (TMJD) are often associated with an internal disc derangement accompanied by a suite of symptoms including joint noises, jaw dysfunction, and severe pain. The severity of patient symptoms and their reoccurrence can be alleviated to some extent with conservative therapy; however, refractory cases often require surgery that has shown only limited success. Bioengineered scaffolds with cell supportive surfaces an d nanoarchitectures that mimic TMJ tissue structure may offer an alternative treatment modality. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanothin films, fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly, were examined as means for creating such a scaffold. The viability and growth of TMJ discal fibrochondrocytes (FCs) were assessed through MTT and DNA assays and total protein content over a 14-day experimental period. ELISA was also used to measure expression of types I and II collagen, decorin and aggrecan. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that FCs synthesized characteristic discal matrix proteins, with an increased production of type I collagen and decorin as opposed to collagen type II and aggrecan. A stimulatory effect on discal FC proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression with thicker nanofilms was also observed. The cumulative results suggest that TiO₂ nanofilms may have potential as a TMJ scaffolding material.
University of Texas Medical Branch, John Sealy Hospital, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. ronald.sharon@gmail.com.
Sharon
S
Ronald
Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272, USA. dkmills@latech.edu.|School of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272, USA. dkmills@latech.edu.
David K
DK
Mills
fibrochondrocytes; functionality; nanoassembly; substrate; titanium dioxide